This is the story of how a visionary Venetian printer, Aldus Manutius, and a brilliant Cretan scholar, Markos Mousouros, joined forces to create the world’s first “handbooks” — portable books that changed the course of reading forever. Their motto, engraved beneath a dolphin and an anchor, summed up their philosophy perfectly: “Festina Lente” — Make Haste Slowly.
Many, many moons ago, long before time was invented, there lived a man named Idmon of Colophon. He was a humble shepherd who walked the land of Lykia (Λυκία) and was known for his ability to dye wool in a beautiful,...
Beneath the gilded halos and serene saints of Cretan frescoes lies a darker story — one of fear, obedience, and control. Byzantine churches across the island are filled with vivid scenes of sin and punishment: writhing bodies, demons with gaping jaws,...
Leather was one of the most essential materials of pre-industrial life — used for clothing, armour, bookbinding, and tools. Yet few people today have seen where it was made. Tanneries were usually built near rivers or springs, both for their abundant...
This is the story of how a visionary Venetian printer, Aldus Manutius, and a brilliant Cretan scholar, Markos Mousouros, joined forces to create the world’s first “handbooks” — portable books that changed the course of reading forever. Their motto, engraved beneath...
The history of the Emirate of Crete is one of the most fascinating chapters in the medieval Mediterranean. It is a story of exile, migration, maritime daring, imperial determination and the encounter between two worlds: the Muslim societies that expanded across...
I’m Enda, the founder of Magical Crete. I’m Irish and have been living in Crete since 2006 and worked here as a guide for many years.
When Covid 19 upended the world in 2019, Crete, my colleagues, and myself weren’t spared.
This time of mainly inaction became a time of reflection on the tourist industry in general and my role in it. The result of this reflection is “Magical Crete”.
Browse the site, enjoy the posts and check out everything on offer from Magical Crete.
I’m Anoushka, colleague, Magical Crete partner and guardian angel of Enda. I’m Czech and have worked as a guide in Crete for years.
I met Enda on the very boring ferry to Balos. We started talking. Once I got my head around his Irish accent and I could understand him it dawned on me that this guy was planning something special.
I couldn’t believe it when he asked me if I wanted to join him in making his ideas become reality.
And here we are, ready to show you a completely different, much more interesting Crete from the one you know from the tourist brochures. Enjoy Magical Crete!
Letter wooded direct two men indeed income sister impression.
