Sitia Σητεία
View of Sitia with the fortress on top.
Seal of Sitia
Location
Sitia
Coordinates	35°12′N 26°6′E / 35.2°N 26.1°E / 35.2; 26.1Coordinates: 35°12′N 26°6′E / 35.2°N 26.1°E / 35.2; 26.1
Location within the region
Government
Country:	Greece
Region:	Crete
Regional unit:	Lasithi
Mayor:	Theodoros Paterakis (since: 2011)
Population statistics (as of 2001)
Municipality
- Population:	19,029
- Area:	633.2 km2 (244 sq mi)
- Density:	30 /km2 (78 /sq mi)
Municipal unit
- Population:	14,338
- Area:	277.4 km2 (107 sq mi)
- Density:	52 /km2 (134 /sq mi)
Community
- Population:	8,748
Other
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (min-max):	0–5 m ­(0–16 ft)
Postal code:	72x xx
Telephone:	284x0
Auto:	ΑΝ
Website
www.sitia.gr

Sitia (Greek: Σητεία) refers both to the port town, with 8,900 inhabitants (2001) and to the municipality with 19,209 inhabitants (2001) in Lasithi, Crete (Greece). It lies to the east of Agios Nikolaos and to the northeast of Ierapetra. Sitia port is on the Sea of Crete, which is a part of the Aegean Sea^[1] and is one of the economic centers of the Lasithi region. European route E75, which ends in Vardø, starts in Sitia. Sitia is served by the Sitia Public Airport. Sitia has not experienced the effects of mass tourism even though there is a long beach along the road leading to Vai and several places of historical interest. The town is visited by few tourists.

Municipality [link]

The municipality Sitia was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 3 former municipalities, that became municipal units:^[2]

• Itanos
• Lefki, Lasithi
• Sitia

Etymology [link]

The name Σητεία may come from the ancient Ητεία, written as Itia or Etea in English.^[3]

History [link]

View of the marina.

Panorama of Sitia.

The earliest settlement of the town dates back to before Minoan times; excavations in the neighbouring site of Petras have unearthed architectural remains that date back to the end of the Neolithic period 3000 BC and continue throughout the Bronze Age 3000-1050 BC. In addition, there are several Minoan settlements unearthed in the various archaeological sites in the municipality, such as in Itanos and in Mochlos.

According to Diogenes Laertius, Sitia was the home of Myson of Chen, one of the Seven Sages of Greece.

Venetian Era [link]

The town was later expanded and fortified by the Venetians who used it as a base of operations for the Eastern Mediterranean. During the Venetian occupation, the town was destroyed three times: by an earthquake in 1508, by a pirate attack in 1538 and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. Sitia was then conquered by the Ottoman Empire.

Modern Era [link]

After the Venetians moved out of Crete, the town was abandoned for two centuries until it was resettled by farmers in 1869. The main remnant of the Venetian occupation is the Kazarma (from Italian casa di arma), the old fortress overlooking the harbour.

Infrastructure [link]

The municipality of Sitia is served by Sitia Public Airport with several domestic destinations, the first landing was on June 7, 1984 and the airport opened officially on June 9, 1984. Construction of new building facilities that included a control tower was completed in May 1993. Runway and apron extension works were finished in May 2003. Recently (2011), the local authorities have completed negotiations with international travel agents for organizing regular charter flights starting from May 2012.^[4] Currently (2011), local officials are under negotiations with the low-cost airline Ryanair^[5]

In addition, Sitia is served by a port which connects Sitia and eastern Crete with several other Greek islands as well as with the port of Piraeus.^[6] The town also has a marina which accommodates smaller fishing boats and yachts.

Health Services [link]

The General Hospital of Sitia was founded in 1947 as a local health center and was later (1994) relocated to a new 7500sqm (110-bed capacity) building and accordingly upgraded to serve as the main hospital for the municipality of Sitia and the surrounding area.^[7]

Environmentally protected areas [link]

The are a number of sites in the municipality of Sitia that are protected as National Parks, Aesthetic Forests, Wildlife Refuges etc. under national and international laws. Notable examples are:

• Dionysades Islands which carry many rare and endangered plant species and also serve as a refuge of several animal species (mostly birds and small reptiles), including the falcon, Falco eleonorae, which finds sanctuary here.
• Vai Palm Forest.
• Richtis Gorge and waterfall.^[8]

Attractions [link]

• Vai forest and beach, the largest natural palm forest in Europe.
• Moni Toplou, founded in the mid 15th century, is one of the most significant monasteries in Crete.
• Kazarma fortress, in the town of Sitia.
• Richtis Gorge and Waterfall at Exo Mouliana village (Map). Pictures1, Pictures2.
• Gorge of the Dead (at Kato Zakros).
• Various archeological sites with Minoan civilization settlements from the Bronze Age, such as in Itanos and Mochlos.

Notable people [link]

• Vitsentzos Kornaros - poet (composer of Erotokritos)
• Myson - philosopher (one of the 7 legendary wise men of ancient Greece)
• Stratis Kalogeridis - musician of local folk music
• Giannis Dermitzakis - musician of local folk music
• Katerina Papoutsaki - actress
• Giannis Savvidakis - singer
• Giorgos Mazonakis - singer
• Eleni Kastani - actress
• Jenny Hiloudaki - model
• Seraina Kazamia - model

References [link]

External links [link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sitia

• Sitia travel guide from Wikitravel
• Municipality of Sitia (History)
• Vai forest
• Richtis gorge
• Gorge of the Dead
• Richtis beach and gorge
• Richtis gorge and waterfall
• 1st General Lyceum of Sitia (high school)
• Cretan Quality Agreement, local non-profit "promoting local cuisine and good health"
• Photos from Sitia

v t e Administrative division of the Crete Region Area: 8,336km² • Population : 601,131 (2001) • Capital: Heraklion Regional unit of Chania Apokoronas • Chania • Gavdos • Kantanos-Selino • Kissamos • Platanias • Sfakia Regional unit of Heraklion Archanes-Asterousia • Faistos • Gortyna • Heraklion • Hersonissos • Malevizi • Minoa Pediada • Viannos Regional unit of Lasithi Agios Nikolaos • Ierapetra • Oropedio Lasithiou • Siteia Regional unit of Rethymno Agios Vasileios • Amari • Anogeia • Mylopotamos • Rethymno Regional governor: Stavros Arnaoutakis • Website www.pkr.gov.gr