Hersonissos & Koutoulofari Area Information
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    Hersonissos keeps the name of the ancient city that was located in the place that
    the harbour of Hersonisos is today. The village of Old Hersonisos, located within
    a small distance to the south was built due to the fear of the pirates, that forced
    the inhabitants of the village to move in the inland.In the site that the harbour of
    Hersonissos is built today, there was the city of ancient Hersonissos (or
    Heronissos).

    The city was first built during the Minoan times but experienced great prosperity
    during Roman and early Byzantine period. The Roman Hersonissos had
    wonderful marble waterfalls, theatre remnants of this period can be seen today in
    the area of Kastri, on a promontory where excavations have revealed an early
    Christian basilica. The ancient city of Hersonissos was irrigated by an aqueduct,
    ruins of which can be found today at Xerokamares, at the village of Potamies.

    Byzantine era marks on the city are mostly on port and the port 's Akropolis
    (dominating hill) where an early Christian basilica church stands.

    The port was called Porto Tigani and sheltered many middle age boats even after
    city down sized to a few  houses. The city died slowly out because of the
    Saracen and other pirates looting the coastal area and cities. The people sheltered
    high on the mountain slopes with enough time to react on imminent pirate
    attacks. That is how the town of Old Hersonissos was built. Is called old
    nowadays because the port was almost abandoned and evolved on a small fishing
    village, until after the 1950's when some interest grown on its tourist hosting
    capabilities.

    There are many excavations going on that revealed beautiful mosaics,building
    remnants and pottery.

    Today the  area of Hersonissos lies on the north east coast of the island and has
    become a major resort, popular with many European visitors. New Hersonissos
    town is a busy resort and has many restaurants, tavernas, bars and nightclubs
    catering for tourists and locals alike. Tourist infostructure is centered around the
    area of Anopolis, above
    New Hersonissos, such as an 18 hole golf course, water parks, A large aquarium
    and Fun beach.
    Hersonissos area also covers Koutouloufari, a very nice quiet traditional resort
    housing traditional style buildings and tavernas in winding cobbled streets.
    Picturesque and quaint, Koutouloufari is well away from the bustle of New
    Hersonissos but within easy access to its facilities and long sandy beach.

    Old Hersonissos  and nearby Piskapiano again, are both  very pleasent villages,
    with cobbled winding lanes and some great traditional tavernas. Perfect for those
    wanting to be close to a the facilities of a resort, but without the noise and
    intrusion that can somtimes  be experienced when staying in a large resort.