Description of the attraction
Malia, or Malia, is a modern resort town located 34 km east of Heraklion. In addition to its tourist popularity, this area is of great historical importance, since in ancient times this territory belonged to the Minoan state.
Malia is one of the oldest inhabited places not only in Crete, but throughout Greece. In ancient times, a prosperous Minoan settlement was located on the site of present-day Malia. The original name of this ancient city was never established. During archaeological excavations, which began in 1915 under the leadership of the Greek archaeologist Joseph Hadzidakis, an ancient palace complex was discovered.
Historians put the huge two-story complex of buildings on a par with such examples of the Minoan civilization as the Palaces of Knossos and Phaistos, although the Malian palace was less luxurious in terms of decoration. The palace, which today only remains in ruins, was built around 1700 BC. on the foundation of an older structure (1900 BC). The new palace was destroyed by the powerful eruption of the Santorini volcano around the middle of the 16th century BC. This natural disaster, recognized by scientists as the most global in the history of the earth, marked the beginning of the death of the powerful Minoan civilization.
The "Golden Bees" pendant found in Malia is considered a unique example of Minoan jewelry art, which is currently kept in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.
Today Malia is a very popular resort, especially among young people. There is a huge selection of comfortable hotels, most of which are located near the beach. Excellent restaurants, numerous bars and nightclubs, open until the morning, as if specially created for lovers of active and noisy rest. Malia's chic sandy beaches are considered some of the best in the region.
