The Goddess Artemis the huntress is well know to all lovers of the myths of Ancient Greece, but her girlfriend Vritomartis is known to a few. Let’s fill the gap, especially, since she was worshipped on the island of Crete; and her name still adorns the facades of cafes and hotels.

Let’s begin.

Behind this noa-name is a beautiful young maiden in a short chiton (as she was depicted on Minoan coins)—a goddess.

Vritomartis (“Sweet Maiden” in Cretan dialect) was born from the love of Zeus and the Cretan Karma, a myth says. She was famous for her chastity. Unfortunately, Minos, the king of the island, fell in love with her. Then comes the classic: Minos pursued, the maiden run away and… threw herself off a cliff into the sea.

But she did not die: either Artemis helped, or fishermen caught the poor thing with a net; and the second version sounds more justified, since the Minoans revered the goddess under the name Dyktinna, that is “caught in the net”: net in modern Greek is “δίχτυ”. Since then, Vritomartis has been considered the patroness of fishermen, sailors and hunters.

The temple of Vritomartis existed in the ancient city of Cydonia on the site of today’s Chania. The power of the goddess was so great that she forced two warring cities, Cydonia and Polyrrhinia, to reconcile in worshipping her.

There is still a possibility to wander through the ruins of the ancient sanctuary of Vritomartis on Cape Rodopos. Once upon a time, there was a bustling city here—Diktinna. People from all over the island came to the local temple Vritomartis-Diktinna.

The name Vritomartis is also associated in Crete with Paximadia Islands, where Artemis hunted with her young girlfriend, according to a legend. Maybe that is why people often came here to fish, hoping that the patroness of fishermen will not let that the hook on the fishing rood go empty.

Those who prefer not to fish but to taste freshly prepared fish can go to the Vritomartis tavern in the port of Elounda.

Finally, the most erotic. In South Crete, not far from Hora Sfakion (3 km), there is the only naturist hotel on the island—Vritomartis. Guests who believe that even a short tunic is not necessary when you are in nature are invited here. “Staying naked allows a person to truly enjoy the filling of the wind and sunlight”, who will not agree with this statement of the hotel owners?

No, in the public areas of the hotel you are supposed to throw something on, but outside its walls you can walk as you please. Even on hikes through the nearby Sfakia Gorge and especially on the local beach Filaki, which is nearby—a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The beach is pebbly, sheltered by rocks from the winds. The entry into the water is smooth but rocky, so it is better to stock up on special shoes. Filaki is well organized: there are a parking lot, toilets, sun loungers and umbrellas. All around are like-minded people, full of friendliness. Even the owner of local taverns prefers to serve customers “in their natural form”, so to speak.

A little further east, there are stunning tiny bays with blue waters and small pebbles on the shore. Some of them are right in caves, so shade in the heat is guaranteed. The most famous is Plakaki beach, which is at the exit of the Sfakia Gorge. But there are also “clothed” beachgoers here, so it is better to take your swim trunks with you.

Arches, passages, swimming across and sun glare in the azure water of the Libyan Sea with a trip along the coast, that all is full of surprises and adventures. If you want more adrenaline, you can scuba diving or hunting. Experts say that Filaki offers also such entertainment.

Getting to Filaki is easy—by car or public transport: bus from Hania (68 km) and on foot from the Vritomartis Hotel.

According to reviews, the Vritomartis Hotel and Filaki are a paradise for nudists. The connoisseurs applaud the “sweet maiden” who knew how to merge with the nature together with Artemis the huntress. True, the short chiton did not prevent her from “enjoying the filling of wind ad sunlight”.

Sources: zarpanews.gr, vritomartis.gr, tripadvisor.com.gr, daynight.gr