During the last years, many changes have taken place and most of them have been for the better. In the beginning the changes were very slow and not very noticeable and we made comments along the lines that this already expanding working town could become a lovely holiday resort. All that was needed was for the town council to make improvements to the approaches into the town and update the area along the beach and harbour front.
Within the last four years, progress has been made and the town is showing a much smarter and more attractive side to its inhabitants and its many visitors. After much debate the taverna’s along the sea and harbour front became traffic free and this allowed the pavements to be extended and attractively paved with only a single road for access of delivery vehicles. New, modern street lights were introduced, ramps were incorporated into the area for the disabled, space was allowed for trees and shrubs and this has contributed to the promenade’s lovely open aspect.
The approach into town from Heraklion has certainly changed with many new houses and businesses being built and the bottom of the hill now has a big roundabout and junction with traffic lights. The centrepiece of this new roadway is a lovely water feature with many little fountains dancing in the air and they are floodlit at night with a changing array of colours.
The original roundabout in the centre of town had a statue of the fallen soldier but this was rarely seen as cars parked around the circle. The roadway has now been narrowed and the traffic flows freely so that the centrepiece is more visible. The wide path around the monument makes it far easier to cross the square when the traffic is heavy. The piece of garden opposite where the taxi rank was situated was full of orange trees, some tatty rose bushes, lots of rubbish and little else. The taxi rank has now been moved to the dual carriageway and the land has now been refurbished and planted with flowering shrubs. There are wooden arbours covered in climbing plants and public benches where people now sit under the trees and rest in the shade. New paving has enhanced the footpaths and ramps have been installed to allow access to the harbour side and the beach.
The old harbour has now been extended and sometime in the near future there is a possibility of cruise ships visiting Sitia which will be a great benefit to the tourists’ shops and taverna’s on the promenade and allow coach tours to the nearby attractions. With the new roads from Sitia to Vai and Paleokastro and from Zakros to Xerocambos now finished, it will make the journey much quicker bringing all these resorts and the bay and archaeological site at Kato Zakros that much nearer. So as you can see, much has happened to Sitia in eight years and despite the lack of finances there are still other changes waiting to take place such as the completion of the new airport.