Minoan Summit Sanctuary of Pyrgos
Mount Pyrgos, whose peak is 684 meters high, rises west of the village of Tylissos. In March 1963, at the steep slope site, archaeologist Stylianos Alexiou located one of the essential Minoan summit sanctuaries in Central Crete, which was founded after 2000 BC. Worship figurines, stone horns, and pottery were found with characteristics from the three palace eras, i.e., the Old Palace to the Mycenaean years. Also, an elongated rectangular building, measuring 13 meters x 4.50 meters, with a transverse partition, came to light. The three outer walls and the transverse one were well-built with limestone and carved limestone rocks, which must have been transported from afar. There is a terrace to the west of the building (approximately 70 sq.m.), with a thick wall to the west. There were still clay tiles and pottery shells on the surface from later years, so it is speculated that the sanctuary was reused.
In ancient times, the hill of Pyrgos was of great religious importance to the Minoans, since in addition to the Sanctuary of Koryfi, in the nearby location of Pera Korfi, a large deposit of dozens of votive figurines of men and women mixed with layers of ash and burnt soil was found. The male figures have their hands in the usual worship poses, while female figurines have a braid hairstyle. A vase with a bull figurine attached to the rim and a painting containing two glued signs were also found. These findings were given, in 1962, to the Heraklion Museum by residents of the area. Finally, on the same mountain slopes, the visitor can see the Trapeza cult cave with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.