- Region
- Sitia, far east Crete
- Distance
- About 38 km from Sitia
- Museums
- Water & Hydraulics; Natural History
- Walk
- Gorge of the Dead to Kato Zakros
Springs and mills
Zakros grew as a mill village. Its springs powered watermills that ground grain, processed wool and pressed olives. Three restored mills beside the springs have housed the Museum of Water and Hydraulics since 2007.
Minoan villa
In 1965 Nikolaos Platon and Giannis Sakellarakis excavated a Minoan country villa here with wine-making equipment and storage jars. Its wine press is now in the Sitia Archaeological Museum.
Sitia Geopark
The Natural History Museum in the village presents the flora, fauna and geology of the Sitia UNESCO Global Geopark. The E4 path passes through Zakros.
Gorge of the Dead
The gorge starts near the village and descends to Kato Zakros and its palace. The walk takes about 2 hours; arrange transport back or walk half and return.
Questions before you go
Where does the Gorge of the Dead start?
Near Ano Zakros; it ends at Kato Zakros.
What is the Museum of Water and Hydraulics?
A museum in three restored watermills by the Zakros springs, opened in 2007.
How far is Ano Zakros from Kato Zakros?
About 7 km by road.
