Keratokambos is a charming seaside resort located 72 kilometers southeast of Heraklion and a few kilometers east of Tsoutsouros. Together with the nearby Kastri, it has emerged in recent years as a popular tourist destination, attracting more and more visitors who come to enjoy its beautiful beaches.
The main beach of Keratokambos stretches east of the small village harbor, extending to the mouth of the Keratokambos river, which collects waters from the Portelas Gorge and the Kavousi Gorge. The western part of the beach, near the village, is sandy and quite organized, while as you head east, the area becomes quieter and more secluded, ideal for those seeking peace and tranquility.
Until the 1950s, the area only had warehouses for carobs, citrons, olive oil, etc. Due to the lack of an advanced road network, products were transported by small boats that carried the goods to the urban centers. Today, Kastrí and Keratokambos form a unified settlement that has seen significant tourist development in recent years. The area has a school and a health clinic, and it also hosts the highly regarded Viannos Art Gallery.
The name Keratokambos comes from the “xylokera” (wooden horns), which refers to the carobs that were once cultivated in the area. However, according to another version, the name derives from the steep rock “Keratο,” located to the north of the village in the Viglia area, which resembles a horn. At the top of the Kerato rock, there are the ruins of a Byzantine fortress, and at its base, there is a large cave, where archaeological finds have been discovered. The cave, called Nychteridospilios (Bat Cave), has a rich stalactite decoration and is home to many bats. It is believed that the ancient city of Keraia was located on the Kerato, which may also explain the name of the settlement, Keratokambos.
The villages of Keratokambos and Kastrí are situated in a small plain, which lies before the many gorges of the area. The valley is traversed by the Keratokambos river, which flows through the rugged Portelas Gorge, then passes through the Piscopei “Pídima” Gorge, and after joining the stream from the Kavousano Gorge, it flows into the South Cretan Sea. In the area of Ríchtra, there is a beautiful 10-meter waterfall that is worth visiting in spring.
The peculiar name of Piscopei “Pídima” comes from a legend in which the Ottomans were chasing a bishop. The bishop reached the edge of the gorge on his horse, and in an attempt to avoid capture, he decided to jump into the abyss. However, his horse made such a huge leap that they landed on the opposite side, and both were saved. In gratitude for this miracle, the bishop built the church of Saint George near the gorge.
