Greece

Crete

Cultural History

Architecture

Abyss X is the musical moniker of polymath and festival founder Evangelia VS.

Across her career, she's worked with the likes of SOPHIE, Rabit and Rui Ho. This month (8 September), the singer-songwriter released her sophomore LP 

via AD 93. It sees the artist lean into swirling and ethereal acoustic-led tracks, focusing on vulnerability, romance and heartbreak. One single in particular – 

was inspired by an old, knotted banyan tree the artist came across in Mexico.

As a nomad woman of Crete descent, Abyss X has strong ties to the Greek island. She credits a lot of juxtapositions within her work to a relocation from the island to New York at the age of seven. It's in Crete, however, that the artist has continued to lay down roots, first launching the intimate festival Nature Loves Courage on the island in 2019. It was inspired by the mystic Terrance McKenna, who linked creativity to the land and sea.

Nature and land, therefore, play a large role in her work. Here, Abyss X chooses off-grid locations in Crete where you can enjoy some respite or immerse yourself in the island's archaeological wonders. Want to dive deep into the mysteries of the land? Scroll down.

I started this festival in 2019 on the southern tip of Crete in hopes of nurturing a space for collective manifestation and esoteric self-exploration in the spirit of freedom of being. I see Nature Loves Courage Festival as an extended family affair and every year I invite friends and peers to be part of my version of a psychedelic sonic playground. The tiny village of Sougia where the festival takes place carries its free-spirited hippie legacy since the 60s, featuring a beautiful, unspoiled nudist beach with translucent turquoise waters which I've been visiting since my childhood.

A beautiful hike away from Sougia lies the secluded ancient hub of Lissos which used to be a town on the south coast of ancient Crete. It features the sanctuary of Asklepios, the God of Healing, which contained not only a temple and sacred area but also special rooms for treatment, healing and resting, since the water of Lissos was considered to have medicinal qualities and it was frequently used to cure many illnesses. There, you can also visit an ancient necropolis scattered with dozens of arcosolium tombs. Definitely worth visiting to witness its interesting remains dating all the way back to the Minoan times.

Another treasure of Crete, Knossos (aka the Palace of King Minos or Minoan Palace) was a major centre of the Minoan civilisation – the oldest civilisation of Europe – and is known for its dark myth featuring the mighty Minotaur. I love the intricate and playful designs of its frescoes demonstrating the artistic excellence of the Minoans, found within its labyrinth-like and carefully-designed architecture.

The only museum in the world featuring Minoan artefacts, the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is a journey into the mystical and fascinating world of this ancient civilisation, where one can witness the legendary designs of their pottery, jewellery, sculpture, frescoes and mosaics. An absolute must see if you plan on visiting Crete.

This is one of the largest caves in Crete. This cave is an archaeological site – 160 metres deep and 36 metres wide – that served as a place of worship in the Minoan period. The cave features impressive complexes of stalagmites and stalactites. Definitely bring a flashlight if you wish to go deeper into the cave.

Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

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