Native name: Παξιμάδια | |
|---|---|
 The Paximadia in the distance with the monastery ofPreveli in the foreground | |
  Paximadia | |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 35°00′29″N24°35′28″E / 35.008°N 24.591°E /35.008; 24.591 |
| Archipelago | Cretan Islands |
| Total islands | 2 |
| Area | 1.75 km2 (0.68 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
Greece | |
| Region | Crete |
| Regional unit | Rethymno |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Paximadia (Greek:Παξιμάδια, "rusks") are two small uninhabited islands in the gulf ofMesara located approximately 12 km (7 mi) south ofAgia Galini inRethymno regional unit. They are in theLibyan Sea next to the southern coast ofCrete. Due to their proximity to one another, the two islands appear as one from a distance.
Locals often refer to the islands asElephantaki because it looks like a baby elephant that is lying down, in the water, with its trunk facing west. The name attributed to the islands today is due to their resembling dry Cretan biscuit known asPaximadi (the plural beingPaximadia). In ancient Crete they were also known asDionysioi after the godDionysus and also asLetoai orLetoa (Ancient Greek:Λητῴα)[1][2] after the goddessLeto who was worshipped atPhaistos, where she was also known asFitii in ancient times.
In Cretan mythology it is believed that the goddess Leto gave birth to the godApollo and the goddessArtemis on these islands[citation needed].
There are isolated sand beaches on these islands that can be reached via boat from Aghia Galini.
The Paximadia islands played a central role in the German novelDer kretische Gast (The Cretan Guest) byKlaus Modick.