Description of the attraction
In the south of Crete, 70 km from the city of Chania, there is a small coastal village of Suia, washed by the waters of the Libyan Sea. A wonderful pebble and sandy beach, which stretches for 1.5 km from the old harbor to a secluded bay, crystal clear sea waters, beautiful mountain landscapes and a calm, restless atmosphere are perfect for lovers of a cozy and quiet holiday. Nearby is the picturesque Agia Irini gorge.
In ancient times, Suia was one of the two harbors of the wealthy Roman city of Eliros, which had the right to its own minting. Only some fragments of Roman structures and the remains of an aqueduct have survived to this day. A more detailed understanding of this period can be obtained by visiting the ruins of Lysos (the second port of Eliros). During archaeological excavations, the temple of Asclepius, an ancient theater and some burials were discovered here. Artifacts found in this region are kept in the Archaeological Museum of Chania. It will be interesting to visit the ruins of ancient Eliros, located on the Kefalos hill near the village of Rodovani.
The city also flourished in the Byzantine period. On the western outskirts of the village is the Church of St. Panteleimon, built on the ruins of a Byzantine basilica that dates back to the 6th century. The beautiful mosaic floor depicting flowers, peacocks and wild animals found in the ruins of the temple can also be seen today in the Archaeological Museum of Chania.
The city was destroyed by the Saracens in the 9th century and since then, until the Second World War, almost no information about it has been found. It was probably a small fishing village for a long time. Suia gained its tourist popularity only in the 70s of the last century, especially among travelers from Northern Europe.
Today there is an excellent selection of comfortable hotels and apartments, excellent restaurants, cafes and taverns (both in the center of Souilly and on the beach). The holiday season in Souille lasts from March to November, but some hotels are open in winter.
