Around the 7th century BC, the Dorians constructed Falassarna, a well-organized city-state. However, until the 4th century, when the city-state began to develop, nothing was known about Falassarna.
Falassarna, on the extreme west coast of Crete, controlled the sea passages leading to Egypt’s Alexandria. Falassarna rose to become one of the most powerful naval powers of the period as a result of their position. They had their own currency, a fortified harbor, and defensive fortifications.
Falassarna, on the other hand, was undermined by ongoing battles with neighboring cities and regular earthquakes. As a result, their residents, who had a thorough understanding of the Mediterranean Sea and its mysteries, turned to piracy. In 69 BC, the Romans entirely devastated Falassarna’s harbor in order to make it impenetrable to pirates.
A large earthquake in 365 AD lifted the west coast of Crete by 6-9 meters, causing the port of Falassarna to rise abruptly out of the sea.
The port of Falassarna, Crete’s sole “closed” port, came to an end at this point.
Visitors to old Falassarna will see that the ancient city’s port is around 100 meters from the sea. They will be able to see the carved tombstones if they pay a visit to the archaeological site. They were found during excavations for research that began in 1986. They may also view the town’s “acropolis” on the crest of the hill, as well as the remnants of the Apollo and Dictyna temples, as well as Falassarna’s famed “throne.”
