Lassithi Zakros Water and Hydropower Museum

Location: Zakros
Don't miss: Museums guide (free admission dates and other useful info)

Zakros boasts abundant streams lined with lush plane trees, so water has always played a key role in the local economic and social activity. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were as many as 11 pre-industrial watermills, providing the wider area with grain, oil, and woolen fabrics.

Watermills were plain rectangular buildings, whose main room functioned as a workshop; larger ones also comprised living quarters for the miller and a small customer reception room. Their most impressive element was the well, which was 6-8 meters high and carried the rushing water to the wheel, setting the grindstones in motion.

In 2007, three of these watermills were restored and have since been functioning as a Water and Hydropower Museum. Situated near the verdant springs of Ano Zakros, they are a thematic museum that aims to collect objects and materials related to the use of water power during the past centuries. At the same time, it seeks to highlight the importance of water and the necessity to use it sustainably.

The exposition area includes the Brilakaina watermill and the adjacent woolen fabric plant, the Rodanovangelis mill with its oil press, and the Xopapa watermill, where it is also possible to see a wood oven.