Welcome to Lassithi Plateau, birthplace of gods, a place favoured by nature. It's one of the few Mediterranean areas which is permanently inhabited at an altitude of more than 800m. It is located on the east part of Crete, on the west side of the Holy Mountain of Dikti and the climate is mild and healthy. It is 25 sq km, 11 km from East to West and 6 km from North to South.

The rest of the region is consisted of smaller plateaus, like the ones of Limnakaros and Nisimos, and a big part of the mountains that surround it such as: Dikti, Selena, Lassithi Mountains, Katharo, Tsivi, Afentis etc.

There are 16 villages: Pinakiano, Lagou, Tzermiadon, Marmaketo, Mesa Lassithi, Mesa Lassithaki, Agios Konstantinos, Agios Georgios, Kouthoumalia, Avrakonte, Kaminaki, Magoulas, Psychro, Plati, Agios Haralampos, Kato Metohi. The population is 4220 (1998) but it decreases lately. However, there is a preservation of the local tradition.

Interesting Sites

The Lassithi Plateau became famous for its marvellous windmills and flourmills which offered a unique sight to the visitor.

WINDMILLS: pumping machines with iron tower of simple technology, locally made which appeared at the end of the previous century. At their peak, there were about 4000 during the '50s, they were a great help to the local farmer and they contributed very much to the local economic development. Their number has considerably decreased because of modernization, depriving the growing tourism one of its main abutments and Lassithi its identity. However, there is interest and care for their gradual restoration so that the wonderful scenery is revived again.

FLOURMILLS: there are 24 with stone tower, built on the left and right side of the entrance of the plateau from Iraklio. They are buildings of the previous century which were in operation until the end of world War II (cereals were milled). Today most of them are in ruins and only three have been restored.

MONASTERY OF VIDIANI: at an altitude of 840m on mountain Loulouthaki. It was founded in 1845 by the Vithes family. The foundation of a museum of natural history is planned here.

HONOS: swallow- hole at the west side where the waters of the plateau end in.

LINIES: draining canals of the valley made in 17th century by the Venetians.

MONASTERY OF KROUSTALLENIA: it was built in 1541 A.D. at an altitude of 850m at a wooded region with a wonderful view. A religious and cultural center it was of great national and social importance.

The extraordinary ravine of HAVGA begins from Agios Konstantinos. The hiker can follow the path that leads to a scenery of unparalleled beauty.

The small plateaus of Nisimos from Tzermiadon and Limnakaros from Agios Georgios, with the chapel of the Holy Spirit (2hd Byzantine period), the mountain refuge of the Lassithi Plateau Mountaineering club and the valley Vathia with signs of the existence of ancient Erganos.

Folklore Museum of Lassithi Plateau

The Cretan Folklore Museum (Agios Georgios, Lassithi Plateau)
In the village of Agios Georgios there is a folklore museum containing a large amount of exhibits, which are of cultural interest. The museum is divided into two sections.

The first section is an old house that was built at the beginning of the last century and is a model of the typical local architectural style. The exhibits are placed throughout the house in such a way as to reflect their use, so that the whole space has a functional atmosphere, rather than merely the usual display of exhibits. The parlor, the cellar, the oven, the stable and stalls demonstrates that the style of life which was carried out there two hundred years ago continues on unchanged and comfortably until today. In a separate space there is a collection of equipment and tools used by the craftsmen of the area. In separate places one can find tools of the carpenter, ironmonger, basket- weaver, potter, the coffee-shop proprietor, and the potter.

The second section of the house is a neo-classical Cretan house from the beginning of this century. Screens, hand-carved furniture, hanging lamps, clocks, exquisitely embroidered materials and photographic materials and other exhibits adorn various parts of the home. The upper floor of the house operates as a gallery with paintings and woodcarvings from Crete. In the rear of the house, there are exhibits of intricately woven materials, uniforms, and military memorabilia from the First World War, weapons and historical documents dating from 1912. The generous donations of embroidery and artworks from Mrs. Chisoula Xanthoudidis - Koundourou is acknowledged, together with those of Mrs. Crisoula Xeidianakis.

The Museum of Elefterios Venizelos

A few meters away from the Folklore Museum operates the commemorative museum of Elefterios Venizelos. It is housed in an artistically built stone building of 1873 which commands a spectacular view of the Lassithi Plateau.

Exhibits of photographic materials and other historical documents relating to Venizelos, from and tracing the period of his birth through his involvement in politics as Minister for the State of Crete and later as Prime Minister of Greece, until the time of his death are found here. Portraits of Venizelos, newspapers of "Therisos", hand-written letters, postcards, embroideries of his face, gold and silver medals, as well as his gold glasses constitute a collection that revitalize the memory of the great Cretan leader.