The official 2017 blister of the Hellenic Republic is dedicated to “Crete” and includes all 8 euro coins (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1, 2 euros).
Crete is the largest island of Greece and the cradle of Minoan civilisation. According to mythology, the is also the birthplace of Zeus. Crete is strategically situated at the juncture of three continents and came under the rule of several conquerors (Romans, Arabs, Venetians and, last, Ottomans), before finally uniting with Greece in 1913.
Crete’s tumultuous history has forged the indomitable Cretan spirit, while centuries of fruitful cultural exchanges have left their mark on countless monuments, as well as on folk and scholarly traditions that admirably fuse East and West. The proverbial Cretan hospitality, exquisite local produce, mild climate, and beauty and diversity of the natural landscape all make Crete one of Greece’s top tourist destinations.
Issue date: May 2017 |