Aradena is an abandoned settlement in the region of Sfakia on the island of Crete, which attracts thousands of visitors every year, despite being on the very edge of a steep cliff!
The strange but interesting story of the village of Aradena goes back centuries.
People from the area say that the village once had more than 700 permanent inhabitants.
However, the settlement gradually declined and by the 1950s it was completely abandoned.
What is left of the once-thriving village are the deserted houses next to the cliff of the southern slopes of the White Mountains (Leuka Ori).
Thousands of tourists and visitors arrive to admire the breathtaking view of the gorge that extends right next to the village and can be accessed through Mamara Beach.
People can even do bungee jumping from the bridge that has been constructed there.
The village of Aradena gives us an idea of traditional Cretan architecture, which has managed to remain almost intact since the area was abandoned decades ago.
The gorge itself is 138-meters deep and it is ideal not only for a summer walk but also for a proper hiking experience in the Cretan countryside.
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