#kasteli

There are problems with the treatment of the archaeological site because it was found too close to the airport for its safety.

The unearthing of the monument is under process.

Crete, Archaeological Museum of Kissamos

Dionysiac Mosaic Floor

[Found in] Antonios Skounakis plot (1985), north side of El. Venizelos Square

Mosaic floor of a large reception hall (9,70 x 8,00 meters), oikos or tablinium, oriented east-west.The floor had a 2-2,5 meter wide border on all sides except the entrance side, consisting of a) a meander with swastikas and squares, b) a slender ivy scroll, and c) a wide white band next to the walls.  An oblong frieze depicting the return of a hunt is on the entrance side.

The composition follows an interesting iconographic program related to Dionysiac ritual. It is divided in panels, that are framed by curving and interwining vine branches, which mimic ceiling decoration.

The central figures are of Dionysus the Victor surrounded by scenes of a sacred hunt and a symbolic wine press. This mosaic probably belonged to the same villa as the Seasons mosaic (exhibited next to it.) It has many ancient restorations*, evidence of long use for the building.

End of 2nd - beginning of the 3rd century A.D

Image description: 

A close up of two cupids restraining their hounds - one of them is hugging the dog. 

An image of a bleeding boar with a missing face, attacked by two leaping hounds next to a tree. 

Two hounds, led by a leash by a cupid with a big round hat. 

A cupid on a rearing horse, and a cupid on foot with a spear attacking and injuring a boar. The cupids frame the boar between them. Above them a partial scene of cupids grape pressing.

Crete, Archaeological Museum of Kissamos:

Dionysiac Mosaic Floor

[Found in] Antonios Skounakis plot (1985), north side of El. Venizelos Square

Mosaic floor of a large reception hall (9,70 x 8,00 meters), oikos or tablinium, oriented east-west.The floor had a 2-2,5 meter wide border on all sides except the entrance side, consisting of a) a meander with swastikas and squares, b) a slender ivy scroll, and c) a wide white band next to the walls.  An oblong frieze depicting the return of a hunt is on the entrance side.

The composition follows an interesting iconographic program related to Dionysiac ritual. It is divided in panels, that are framed by curving and interwining vine branches, which mimic ceiling decoration.

The central figures are of Dionysus the Victor surrounded by scenes of a sacred hunt and a symbolic wine press. This mosaic probably belonged to the same villa as the Seasons mosaic (exhibited next to it.) It has many ancient restorations*, evidence of long use for the building.

End of 2nd - beginning of the 3rd century A.D

*See the presence of the three arms- the one holding the upright spear is probably a later addition.

Detail from a schematic depiction of the mosaic from the museum tag.

The entirety of the mosaic:

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Crete, Archaeological Museum of Kissamos:

Dionysiac Mosaic Floor

[Found in] Antonios Skounakis plot (1985), north side of El. Venizelos Square

Mosaic floor of a large reception hall (9,70 x 8,00 meters), oikos or tablinium, oriented east-west.The floor had a 2-2,5 meter wide border on all sides except the entrance side, consisting of a) a meander with swastikas and squares, b) a slender ivy scroll, and c) a wide white band next to the walls.  An oblong frieze depicting the return of a hunt is on the entrance side.

The composition follows an interesting iconographic program related to Dionysiac ritual. It is divided in panels, that are framed by curving and interwining vine branches, which mimic ceiling decoration.

The central figures are of Dionysus the Victor surrounded by scenes of a sacred hunt and a symbolic wine press. This mosaic probably belonged to the same villa as the Seasons mosaic (exhibited next to it.) It has many ancient restorations*, evidence of long use for the building.

End of 2nd - beginning of the 3rd century A.D

Image description: First picture: two cupids restraining their hounds, while another leaps among grapevines. Second picture: two rabbits leaping. Third picture: A cupid riding a horse, followed by a cupid holding a hound on a leash, a big round hat hanging on his back.

The mosaic in its entirety in a schematic depiction on the museum tag:

A detail from the depicted scenes:

The Greek government is expected next week to ratify a contract for the construction and operation of the new international airport in Heraklion, Crete.

The construction of new airport at Kasteli, which is expected to be completed within 60 months of the launch date, would become the biggest construction project ever on Crete and one of the largest private investments made in the country.

The cost of constructing the new facility, which will replace the present Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, will amount to 480 million euros, without counting the air navigation equipment, which falls within the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Authority.

Heraklion’s Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, with more than 8 million passengers, was the second busiest airport in the country in 2018 after Athens’ Eleftherios Venizelos.