Matala is an oasis and the last refuge of children-flowers in Crete, and besides - a place with a rich history and a nice beach. At the same time, the size of Matala does not surprise the imagination: it is a small village, although with its own character and charm.

At the entrance to Matalu you are greeted by an old large olive tree, turned into an intricate wooden sculpture, skillfully carved and polished, with nailed to her nails pebbles . The sculpture depicts different faces, in all likelihood, love . Instead of a single word, as in most European languages, in Greek there are four designations for the concept of "love"; all of them differ in meaning and are cut out on the trunk of a tree . Near the olive tree on a perpetual joke there is a legendary hippie vehicle, a minibus "Volkswagen", painted from cans in all colors of the rainbow .

As the city continues to advance, the town continues to justify its good reputation. On the way to the beach and caves, you are sure to meet the last few hippies of our time: they occupy the only shady spot under a pair of trees by the shore. With them - all the colorful attributes: dogs, guitars and bottles. Hippies, as it should, do not look too clean, but they are hung up with baubles, which they sell to tourists on the spot, with hands.

Matala Beach, at sunset, Crete

Matala Beach, top view, Crete

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Meanwhile, Matala played an important role in the history of the island long before the appearance of overseas hippies . In the heyday of the Minoan civilization, it became a major and important port that Fest owned; at the Dorians it belonged to the Gortyne . It was in Matala that the Arab invaders landed in Crete in the 9th century . Matala caves were hollowed out in a pancake rock near the sea during the Neolithic times, and during the Roman rule used to bury the dead . But thanks to the cheerful children of peace and love, no gloomy aura is here today - even on the contrary .

In the sixties, during the heyday of the hippy movement, the caves of Matala were opened by hippies who moved here from America . Neolithic deepening was quite suitable for life and in modern times, including the great and cult figures of the lava and the beat generation, including Johnny Mitchell, Bob Dylan, later - members of Rolling Stones . Caves and the truth are very picturesque, located as if on a several "floors", some of them are connected to each other . Turis you love to climb on them and take pictures in the openings against the background of the sea .Inside, both prehistoric structures such as pockets and shelves were preserved, as well as traces left by later tenants-pacifics and texts on walls, traces of candle wax on shelves and soot on ceilings .

Caves are enclosed by a fence and are protected by the state, but tourists can visit them at their own peril and risk, as reported by the appropriate sign at the entrance. In general, it is quite safe, but still the slopes here are quite steep, and the stones, polished with winds and lots of legs, are slippery. It is better to be careful and not climb the top tiers in beach slippers

Matala is famous for its beautiful beach: it is not very suitable for rest with children - there are quite high waves here, but it is great for surfing . Neighboring the beach is chosen by nudists, but is separated from Matala by the cape, so it will not bother anyone . The village itself is pleasant and typical: here to this day there are amusing evidence of hippy past, like drawings on asphalt, names of cafes and bright carpers . Quay with prome hell as such in Matala, but that part of the village that goes to the sea, is raised above the beach . Here you can find slightly different from ordinary souvenirs or eat with a superb view of the surf .

Life-affirming inscription with arshin letters on the concrete The fencing of Matala beach says: "Today is life, tomorrow never comes."