Kastri is located in the sheltered bay of Keratokampos near the village of Viannos. In recent years it is being developed and the beaches are a magnet for visitors. Indeed, many people love this quiet and hospitable place, and come several times a year to take their holiday in Kastri. The village has several restaurants and accommodations from which you can be served before starting your excursions in this beautiful place of Keratokampos. The access to Kastri is via the road that connects Viannos to Heraklion or from the village of Tsoutsouras.
Name
For the origin of the name of the village there are several theories. According to Sprat, navy explorer (19th century, is derived from the ancient city “Keraia”. Others argued that the name came from the “keraties” as they are called the carob trees, which are located behind the valley Keratokampos. Another hypothesis connects the name with the limestone cliff 617m., called “Kerato”. The cliff is visible from far away and from ancient times attracted the attention of visitors. On top of the cliff one can see the entire area of Viannos.
The area has significant archaeological value. Somewhere nearby was the Minoan goddess of childbirth Eileithya worshiped. Also, the ancient name for the carob tree is “keratonia” or “keronia”, which confirms some of the accounts regarding the origin of the name. Archaeological explorations have revealed traces of the ruins of a Venetian fortress, considered to have been built to face the pirates. According to some, the remains of the ancient city of “Keraia” might be located on the “Kerato” (Horn) rock, a view which is based on archaeological finds. As ancient artifacts, were found in “Nyxteridospilio”, the largest cave in the area.
Beaches
Slightly organized beaches, without crowds, sun beds and umbrellas continue to remind the good old days. In the centre the small picturesque village of Kastri, lately developed through small hotels (apartments) for the accommodation of those who choose Kastri to take their holidays and of course some taverns, where visitors can enjoy fresh fish, Cretan delicacies and Cretan wine or raki. To the east of Keratokampos and following the beach of Kastri, visitors can isolate themselves in a place full of sand dunes. This part of the beach has a rocky bottom, at which the fish find refuge. Those among you who love fishing will enjoy themselves much.
Keratokampos is the haven of the inhabitants of upper Viannos. This seaside village has 156 residents. The Keratokampos beach is almost 7 kilometers long north of it lays the valley of the river “Keratokampitis”. The river begins at upper Viannos and follows a path through the wild and beautiful gorge of Portela, which continues in a smaller canyon called “The Piskopi’s Leap”, from a legend that has survived from the Ottoman period. According to the legend, a bishop ran his horse to escape from the ottomans who were hunting him. When he reached the edge of the canyon, he tried to throw himself and the horse in the canyon in order not to fall into the hands of the enemy, but the horse managed to jump across the canyon and thus they both escaped. The chapel of St.George which is located nearby, was built by the Bishop to thank the Saint who performed the miracle and saved him.
