St George Square

Bust of Captain Kazanis in Marmaketo

In 1973, Emmanuel Rovidis (Captain Kazanis), a prominent chieftain of the area, was born in Marmaketo within the Lassithi Plateau Municipality.

He participated in numerous battles against the Turks and played a significant role in the struggle of the Lassithians.

A statue has been erected in the central square of the village in his honour, where a wreath is laid on every national holiday.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

In 1973, Emmanuel Rovidis (Captain Kazanis), a prominent chieftain of the area, was born in Marmaketo within the Lassithi Plateau Municipality.

He participated in numerous battles against the Turks and played a significant role in the struggle of the Lassithians.

A statue has been erected in the central square of the village in his honour, where a wreath is laid on every national holiday.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Lasithi

Alsos Eleftherias

Not far from the Holy Monastery of Kroustalenia, on the Lassithi Plateau, you'll find Alsos Eleftherias (Freedom Grove).

A monument commemorating the historic Battle of Lassithi (20th-30th May 1867), a significant event in the Cretan Revolution, stands here.

Each year, ceremonies and tributes are arranged to honour those who sacrificed themselves for freedom.

Photo:Wikimedia Commons

Not far from the Holy Monastery of Kroustalenia, on the Lassithi Plateau, you'll find Alsos Eleftherias (Freedom Grove).

A monument commemorating the historic Battle of Lassithi (20th-30th May 1867), a significant event in the Cretan Revolution, stands here.

Each year, ceremonies and tributes are arranged to honour those who sacrificed themselves for freedom.

Photo:Wikimedia Commons

Lasithi

Statue of Emmanuel C Papadakis in Psychro

Lassithi Plateau is renowned for its windmills.

In the village of Psychro, you'll come across the statue of Emmanuel Papadakis, the inventor and builder of the first wooden windmill.

He served as the mayor of the then Municipality of Psychro and as an MP in the Cretan State. Additionally, he was a Macedonian freedom fighter and fell in defence of his homeland in 1913.

Lassithi Plateau is renowned for its windmills.

In the village of Psychro, you'll come across the statue of Emmanuel Papadakis, the inventor and builder of the first wooden windmill.

He served as the mayor of the then Municipality of Psychro and as an MP in the Cretan State. Additionally, he was a Macedonian freedom fighter and fell in defence of his homeland in 1913.

Lasithi

The Dikti Range

Its highest summit is Spathi (2.148 m) and there are two more peaks at an altitude of more than 2000m. Lassithi Plateau, the largest in Crete, lies at the heart of the range at an altitude of 850 m. It is surrounded by a series of smaller plateaus such as Katharo, Limnakaro, Mari, Lapathos, Omalos, Erganos and Nisimos. There is a mountain shelter at Limnakaro from where hikers ascend to Spathi.

Several gorges are found in the range of Lassithi. Apart from the two gorges named Havgas at Katharo and Kalamafka, there are more canyons such as Sarakina, Adrianos, Ambelos, Roza and Kritsa.

The Dikti range has shows a significant diversity in flora and fauna. The lower mountain sides are covered by olive, carob and pine trees. To the south-east, Selakano is the largest pine wood of Crete and close to the village Krasi lies the holm oak wood of Azilakodasos.

The fertile plateaus and valleys of the Dikti range produce a large variety of agricultural products: potatoes, vegetable, pears, apples, walnuts, cherries, etc. Livestock breeding (sheep and goats) is yet another traditional activity in this region. The famous Diktaean Cave where Zeus is said to have been born is open to the public.

Information Region of Crete

Photo by Wikipedia

Its highest summit is Spathi (2.148 m) and there are two more peaks at an altitude of more than 2000m. Lassithi Plateau, the largest in Crete, lies at the heart of the range at an altitude of 850 m. It is surrounded by a series of smaller plateaus such as Katharo, Limnakaro, Mari, Lapathos, Omalos, Erganos and Nisimos. There is a mountain shelter at Limnakaro from where hikers ascend to Spathi.

Several gorges are found in the range of Lassithi. Apart from the two gorges named Havgas at Katharo and Kalamafka, there are more canyons such as Sarakina, Adrianos, Ambelos, Roza and Kritsa.

The Dikti range has shows a significant diversity in flora and fauna. The lower mountain sides are covered by olive, carob and pine trees. To the south-east, Selakano is the largest pine wood of Crete and close to the village Krasi lies the holm oak wood of Azilakodasos.

The fertile plateaus and valleys of the Dikti range produce a large variety of agricultural products: potatoes, vegetable, pears, apples, walnuts, cherries, etc. Livestock breeding (sheep and goats) is yet another traditional activity in this region. The famous Diktaean Cave where Zeus is said to have been born is open to the public.

Information Region of Crete

Photo by Wikipedia

Lasithi

St George Square

Agios Georgios Square is situated in the village of Agios Georgios, which is part of the Lassithi Plateau. It is the second-largest village in terms of population on the Plateau, and until 1970, it was the most populous.

The village consists of the settlements Kato Chorio or Agios Georgios and Pano Chorio or Plathianos or Agios Dimitrios, which were separate settlements until 1950. Today, they are only separated by a main road established in 1950, replacing a pre-existing stream. The village is located 45 kilometres away from Agios Nikolaos.

In Vrysi Square, there is the fountain named after the settlement of Choumeriakos. This square serves as a venue for festivals and local celebrations, as well as hosting environmental and social initiatives.

Agios Georgios Square is situated in the village of Agios Georgios, which is part of the Lassithi Plateau. It is the second-largest village in terms of population on the Plateau, and until 1970, it was the most populous.

The village consists of the settlements Kato Chorio or Agios Georgios and Pano Chorio or Plathianos or Agios Dimitrios, which were separate settlements until 1950. Today, they are only separated by a main road established in 1950, replacing a pre-existing stream. The village is located 45 kilometres away from Agios Nikolaos.

In Vrysi Square, there is the fountain named after the settlement of Choumeriakos. This square serves as a venue for festivals and local celebrations, as well as hosting environmental and social initiatives.

Lasithi

Kritsa Central Square

The central square is situated in Kritsa, a small town in eastern Crete.

The settlement is located near ancient Lato, from which the residents transferred to Kritsa.

It was probably named after the first settler named Kritsas, who was settled there by Nikiforos Fokas after the reconquest of Crete.

Kritsa was among the largest towns and played a significant role in the liberation struggles against the Ottomans in 1823.

The square hosts festivals, local celebrations, musical events, dance theatre performances, art workshops, bazaars, speeches, and exhibitions of local products.

Discover:

Exploring Authentic Crete: A Fifteen-Kilometre Journe

The central square is situated in Kritsa, a small town in eastern Crete.

The settlement is located near ancient Lato, from which the residents transferred to Kritsa.

It was probably named after the first settler named Kritsas, who was settled there by Nikiforos Fokas after the reconquest of Crete.

Kritsa was among the largest towns and played a significant role in the liberation struggles against the Ottomans in 1823.

The square hosts festivals, local celebrations, musical events, dance theatre performances, art workshops, bazaars, speeches, and exhibitions of local products.

Discover:

Exploring Authentic Crete: A Fifteen-Kilometre Journe

Lasithi