The western part of the building with the cistern on the right

Chamaizi is situated on the hill known as Souvloto Mouri, near the village of Chamaizi on the land route to eastern Crete. From the site, the modern town of Siteia can be seen in the distance. The very solid remains that can be seen on the site are from the Middle Minoan IA building, and it is unique because it is the only oval building so far discovered from the Minoan period. One suggestion is that the small round top of the hill dictated the oval shape of the buildings.

The cistern in the foreground and behind it to the right the courtyard that formed the centre of the complex

Although several archaeologists have suggested that the building was a peak sanctuary, this seems unlikely. It is more likely to have been the last of a series of houses dating back to the Early Minoan period, built on this site. It has also been pointed out that, with the spectacular view over the Bay of Siteia , it would have made an excellent lookout post and Castleden believes that it may have been one of a series built in the area, with the building at Ayia Photia constituting another.

The eastern part of the buildings

The site was originally excavated by Xanthoudides in 1903 and again by C. Davaras in 1971. Although fenced, the gate seems to be left permanently open so the site is open all year round. It is signposted from the main road, though it is not easy to find after that as the remaining signposts have rusted or disappeared. Once found, it is well worth a visit, both for the site itself and the spectacular views.

The photos below start with the well, followed by the east entrance. The rooms are then photographed in order (see ground plan) working in a clockwise direction starting with the first room to the south of the east entrance. Some of the rooms are photographed twice from different angles. Photographs chamaizi.13s and 15s show the western entrance to the complex. Photos 17, 19, 20 and 21 show the remains of structures outside the main circle.