The extremely rich and bright past of the region is certified by the many extendent archeological excavations and historical researches conducted by Greek and foreign researchers the last 100 years and on, and this fact is noted by the unforgettable Melina Merkouri. When she was the minister of culture in 1984, she performed the opening of the archeological museum of Sitia. Then, she said: "Sitia is one of the most priviledged places. Not only in terms of natural beauty but also in terms of history and culture. Few other places of the Greek land encompass within their borders so many signs of a bright. Eighty (80) archeological sites have been excavated in the region and more than a hundred (100) have been traced and wait to be excavated to enrich your wealth and pride".
Indeed, the Sitia province is one of regions of Greece and of the whole world with a large number of antiquities within its borders, with archeological sites such as: The Minoan palace of Zakros, the Minoan town of Palekastro, the Minoan settlements-naval centers of Mohlos and Psyra, the Minoan cemetary of Aghia Fotia, the Minoan palace and settlement of Petra, the Minoan villas in Sitia, in Zou, in Pano Zakros, Achladia, Aghios Georgios, Makrus Gialos, the residence Hamezi, the eteocretan Praissos, the Doric Itanos, the Hellenistic settlements of Trypiti and Xerocambo, the Roman Lefki (koufonisi) the medieval settlement of Voila, the Kazarma fortresses of Sitia, the Venetian villa in Etia, Liopetro, Monte Forte, ect; the monasteries of Toplou, Kapsa and Faneromeni, Byzantine churches, frescoes and icons, historical sites, folk architecture, traditional fountains, neo-classic houses, watermills, windmills, farms, and many more monuments of the local, national and global cultural heritage.
