A couple of weeks ago I visited Chersonissos
Chersonissos is a seaside, mostly touristic village.
I think that if you have visited Crete or have heard about it, you most probably also know about this place.
It is especially well known to ages 18-34, as it has many night clubs and bars, and it is visited mainly for its night life, but we should mention that the area has some really amazing and crystal blue beaches as well.
I had seen some images of the area were the seaside part was completely destroyed. (to be renovated?) So I had to go visit
When the car was parked, during that amazing day (very warm and windless), the first thing I saw was ... a family with happy children in the water. I admit I was a little jealous
I stayed for a while and I went on with my walk.
I could not believe what I would see next
Everything that was built on the coast.
Ruined.
Destroyed.
Only rocks and remains there
(And this house, not sure why)
Despite the distractions, you could see people walking by quietly, some others were fishing in the sea..
If you would only look at the sea, everything looked normal..
I had the camera with me so I took some instants that impressed me.
I am not sure if they will have all the coastal area fixed and improved till the start of the season, but I will be there to document it!
Continuing to walk, the demolition is only until the middle of the city.
Palm trees always inspire me!
I could not stay longer so I took the way back
A few more words about this place
Chersonissos (or Hersonissos) is one of Crete’s best-known coastal resort villages, located about 26 km east of Heraklion. Historically, the seaside settlement, officially called Limenas Hersonissou - Λιμένας Χερσονήσου (Port of Hersonissos), began as the harbor serving the inland village of Ano Hersonissos. For centuries it functioned as a small export port for agricultural goods before transforming into a major tourist destination starting in the 1960s, when the first hotels and resorts were built and development accelerated rapidly.
source: Explore Crete
Even though it may not be widely known, the area has a much deeper past. Archaeological evidence shows settlement activity since Minoan and Hellenistic times, and the harbor later became an important port during the Roman and Byzantine periods, serving inland cities such as Littos. In early Christian times, ancient Chersonasus even became a bishopric in the Roman province of Crete and Cyrenaica. Over time, the coastal port gradually evolved from a small harbor settlement into one of the largest tourism hubs in Crete.
source: Wikipedia
Today, Chersonissos is undergoing major renovation and infrastructure upgrades aimed at modernizing its coastal identity. A large waterfront redevelopment project (about €8 million) is currently redesigning the promenade near the harbor, including new pedestrian zones, green spaces, and improved accessibility, while also protecting and showcasing archaeological remains such as the ancient Roman port. At the same time, port-upgrade works, including a new windward pier, expansion of land space, and renovation of existing facilities, are expected to strengthen maritime tourism and local economic growth.
source: https://www.cretetip.com/hersonissos-promenade-gets-a-new-life/
I hope you enjoyed this post and I hope we will have the joy watch its evolution together!