Koules of Mátala / Mátala tower (Crete)
Elevation: 55 m / 180 ft
Type: peak
Views: 146
Popularity: 10% (3156th place)
Description of mountain:
Koules of Mátala or Mátala tower (gr. Κουλές Ματάλων) are now the remains of a small coastal fort (only walls remain standing) from the times of Ottoman Empire that was used till the revolutions in the second half of the 19th century. It is located on one of the local peaks of Cape Ákra Mátala or the Kastri Hill 55 meters above the sea level. The views from the Koules of Mátala include the Libyan Sea, the uninhabited islands of Paximadia, the village of Mátala and its picturesque, artificial cave houses along Zeus Beach. The caves date back to the Neolithic time, millenia later they were used for funeral activities by the Romans, and in modern history this area is known as a hippie commune, a refuge for those avoiding a draft during the Korean and Vietnam Wars in the 1960s and 1970s. In this beautiful place they developed an artistic atmosphere, from Rock'n Roll and other genres of music (e.g., Bob Dylan) to other crafts and skills (necklaces and other ornaments). Even today in Mátala, the artistic touch can be felt at every turn, although this area has now been overrun with tourists.
Zeus beach, the main beach in Mátala is also worth mentioning. According to Greek mythology, Zeus transformed into a bull, and swam ashore at this place. He was carrying a Phoecian princess named "Europa" on his back. They formed the first European civilisation, the Minoan civilisation (the Minoan Period was bronze age and lasted from 2600 to 1450 BC, when it was destroyed by the eruption of the Volcano Thira / Santorini, and the tsunami that immediately followed this event.). So, from an etymological standpoint, the word "Europa" appears for the first time in this myth (the later record is in the literary source of Iliad).
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