HERAKLION

   The village of Ano Viannos lies at 560 m, and is built in a semicircle on the southern slopes of the foothills of the Dikti Mountains.

   The modern settlement stands on the site of the ancient city of Viannos, which was independent and issued its own coins. In Venetian times Viannos was a large and prosperous village, but during the Turkish rule it was destroyed twice.

   Steep and narrow lanes lined with houses in traditional architectural style lead up to pretty squares with stone fountains flowing with cool water.

   The village is dominated by plane trees, poplars and myrtle, and the cafes here entice you to take a refreshing break in the shade of the trees.

   Among other sights in the village is the church of Agia Pelagia with its wall paintings dating from 1360.

   The surrounding countryside is full of Byzantine churches containing valuable frescoes, and numerous small archaeological excavations of the Minoan period.

   Ano Viannos is also an important traffic junction on the Ierapetra - Heraklion road and is starting point to access the sandy beaches of Arvi, Psari, Forato, Keratokambos and Tsoutsouras at the Libyan Sea.