| Lasithi Plateau, East Crete |
| Plateaus |
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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 Limnakaro 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 Limnakaro 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.
From the Naturalist Club Heraklion (www.fysi.gr): The walk started at the village Messa Lassithaki by an altitude of 950 m, at the east end of Lassithi Plateau and ended by Tapes village. Tapes is a small village with approximately 90 inhabitants nestling in an elevated location on the Lassithi mountains above Lakonia village and just 15 kms from Agios Nikolaos. There is just one kafenion in the village and a couple of churches. The village is agricultural and surrounded by olive groves and small holdings with goats and sheep. There are beautiful views over the plains below and the distant sea.
Photos by the Naturalist Club Heraklion - Fysi.gr The walk from Mesa Lasithaki village to Tapes: From the Naturalist Club Heraklion (fysi.gr): The march started from the village Kastamonitsa with an altitude of 530 m. At the beginning it is a dirt road and then by an ancient Minoan stone path. That path unites the province Pediada with the Lassithi plateau. We passed the Great Wall (Mega Tichos) and we got to the location Chula tomb (Seli's Hortasa) located at an altitude of 940 m. then from a dirt and downhill path we reached the monastery Vidiani (825 m.) in Lassithi plateau.
Photos by the Naturalist Club Heraklion - Fysi.gr The video from Kastamonitsa to Vidiani Monastery in Lassithi Plateau:
From the Naturalist Club Heraklion (fysi.gr): The walk starts just above the Monastery of Panagia Kera - Kardiotissa (Lassithi prefecture) from an altitude of 800m, one of the most historic monasteries in Crete.
Photos by the Naturalist Club Heraklion - Fysi.gr The video from the above walk: From Kera Monastery to Karfi peak/site and Lagou Village in Lassithi Plateau
From the Naturalist Club Heraklion (fysi.gr):
Tzermiado Village (alt. 830 m) - Onesimos or Nissimos plateau (alt. 940 m) - Holy Cross church (alt. 985 m). Walking Hours: 3 
Photos by the Naturalist Club Heraklion - Fysi.gr The Video: From the Naturalist Club Heraklion (fysi.gr):
Through Potami Village (alt. 875 m) - Tzermiado Village (alt. 830 m). Kronio Cave. Walking hours: 4 
Photos by the Naturalist Club Heraklion - Fysi.gr The Video: More East Crete:
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 08 March 2012 23:57 |
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 
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It seems everyone in the plateau lives around the edge keeping the fertile flat land in the middle solely for growing crops. It is certainly the flattest part of Crete you'll see.
Getting back in the car drive down to the plateau. Go anti-clockwise around the plateau until you come to Zeus' Cave (Diktaion Andron). There is a small car park, 3 euro. The walk up is apparently 1km. I put my wife on the offered Donkey on hearing this, 10 euro. It was worth it. There are two ways up, somehow we ended up on the old route. Walk down the new path its easier, trust me! At the top is the entrance to the cave 4 euro (if I remember correctly, I was breathing hard at the time). You then walk down steep stairs into a different world. Cool, damp, but with stalactites and stalagmites galore. Its not the biggest cave in the world but fascinating.
On leaving the cave and getting back down the hill treat yourself to a fresh orange juice. Then carry on around the plateau. We came out on the other road heading toward Agios Nikolaus. The road down is much like the road up so be careful.
Agios Nikolaus has a nice old town if you like shopping. We then drove back along the main coastal road straight back to Gouves. A great day out.
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