Nicos Kazantzakis was probably the greatest author to be born on the island of Crete. His books included Zorba the Greek to Freedom or Death. His book, The Last Temptation, was banned by the Pope and his writings in general led to him being excommunicated by the Greek Orthodox Church. He thus was not allowed to be buried in hallowed ground.
He died in 1957 and his grave lies on top of the south bastion of the Venetian wall around the city of Iraklion. This was where he was born and spent a lot of his life.
He wrote the words that appear starkly on his headstone. “I want nothing. I need nothing. I am free.”
The final resting place of Nicos Kazantzakis.
Very intriguing pic. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers
http://reginainpictures.blogspot.com/
Beautiful photo.
Nice capture skywatch!!!! I am so happy to be part of this fun. I find myself excited visiting other sky photos all over the world. Happy weekend! Hope you can visit my SWF entry too…
When I was in Iraklion, along time ago, I didn´t knew about that place. Well, then there is a reason to go there again!
A beautiful photo, and fascinating information. Thank you.
Oh my gosh! I hope I will have such a stunning view from my final resting place. 🙂
Fantastic view! Many years ago I was in Iraklion. But not on this place.
What a great sight with the snow covered mountains beyond. Interesting epitaph…
The photograph and epitaph are so beautiful. I love the way the stark headstone and cross look with the snowy mountains in the background.
Educational and such a striking eveocative image. Excellent skywatch
Love the cross with the awesome view behind it.
A beautiful photo and beautiful words. Thank you for sharing such an interesting post.
amazing how he got to be buried in probably one of the most unique highly visited sites in the area – this was not planned, but look at how it turned out for him!
He was a wonderful writer and he deserves a beautiful resting place like this. Those snow-capped mountains are just drop-dead gorgeous!!!
A beautiful photo. And a very interesting text!. He was wonderful writer!
Have a nice weekend:)
Waauw ik ontdek hier een kei van een blog,
vol met interesante uitleg en prachtige foto’s.
Proficiat !
Ik kom zeker nog gluren !
Gr.
P-TER
A man of conviction, he deserved to ly where he can look to the snow covered mountains.
What a wonderful photo! The landscape is so beautiful, I remember the film “Zorba the greek”….and the mountains …it really looks like a postcard!
What a great shot!
Wonderful photo!Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Strong words in death, as in life.
And a strong image, your photo.
I think the epitaph reads:
Δεν ελπίζω τίποτα. Δε φοβούμαι τίποτα. Είμαι λεύτερος
I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free.
(Great site by the way)
Hi! That’s very beatifull spot and great photo from it! Very nice that contrast.
Happy swf!
Your are right Catherine, the Epitaph is I hope for nothing. I FEAR nothing. I am free
Just found your superb site after returning to Dublin City, Ireland, from Western Crete, where my heart remains [ Exopolis, near Giorgioupolis].
I took back from Rethymnon **Modern Greek Poetry** by the late Kimon Friar, and the equally good **Greek Poetry Translations** by Marios Byron Raizis. Highly recommended – the latter also has the Greek text.
You cover such a great range of interest on your site – do continue.
I visited the grave in 2002, wrote a few haiku while there, one of them
Kazantzakis’ tomb—
a yellow flower blooms
from a deep crack
Beautiful photo. Thanks.
I recall his funeral when a giant of a man from Crete carried his casket unassisted on his shoulder up the hill to the gravesite where he gently lowered it into the grave.
Pure Kazantzakis !!!!!!
This is badly misquoted ! It should read (translated from the Greek ) ” I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free”
Now this site is overgrown with weeds and it is hard to find … The epitaph is almost illegible due to erosion and overgrowth covering it… So u must search hard to find it..most people around have no idea where it is either :).