Lissus (Crete)

Lissos ("Λισσός" in greek) is an ancient city in south-west Crete, near the small village of Sougia, 70 km south of Chania. It was the religious centre of the area and it flourished during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Lissos and Syia was also the harbours of the city of Elyros, the most important ancient city of the area, located near the village Rodovani.

In 1957-58 the Asklepieion was excavated by N. Platon. The most important monuments of the site are the Temple of Asklepios, a part of a Roman theatre and rock-cut and built chamber tombs.

Beside the Asklepieion and the Roman necropolis there are also two Greek Orthodox churches: Agios Kyriakos has some nice frescoes and the chapel of Panagia is build with ancient marble blocks.

The small beach is a coarse pebble beach. Nobody lives in Lissos nowdays. You can reach it from Sougia by boat or by foot (90 minutes walk).