The Mysterious Crete

08/11/2019

Schinokapsala is a mountain village under Mount Thripti, the highest mountain in the region and 6 km from the sea. It is built 432 meters above sea level. Today it is almost deserted, as the majority of the people have moved to the beach and in Ierapetra in the last 3 decades. The community of Schinokapsala consists of Schinokapsala proper and the seaside settlements of Galini, Achlia and Mavros Kolympos.

Schinokapsala is a mountain village and a municipal district in Makrygialos in Lasithi. Since 2011 it belongs to the Ierapetra municipality. It is situated 21 km north-east from Ierapetra, 10 km from Makrigialos, under Mount Thripti, the highest mountain in the region and 6 km from the sea. It is built 432 meters above sea level and its population was less than 200 in 2001. Today it is almost deserted, as the majority of the people have moved to the beach and in Ierapetra in the last 3 decades. The community of Schinokapsala consists of Schinokapsala proper and the seaside settlements of Galini, Achlia and Mavros Kolympos.
Schinokapsala is a quiet village, but not completely abandoned. Older people still live in the village. The village is built in the shape of an amphitheater overlooking the Libyan Sea. The name of the village is from the "schinos" tree (Mastic tree also called Schinos). The word 'kapsala' means the rest of the fire - burnt. Many water resources, as Psychro, are located in the village area. The village is fertile and extremely green, with many pine forests and olive groves.
The village has two churches. The Byzantine church of Agios Georgios lies in a field on the eastern side of the village. The church is surrounded by olive trees.
The village has several taverns. The legendary café with beautiful old vines is 50 years old. It offers traditional local delicacies.
Renovated houses with flower pots in front of them and dilapidated empty houses are next to each other.
The plant for bottling wine of excellent quality is in the village.
An abandoned factories are located just outside the village on a hill.
The history of the village goes deep in time. In 1583, the Venetians talked about the village of Schinocapsala during a census. Many people from Schinokapsala have moved to the coast. They founded the communities of Achlia, Galini and Mavros Kolympos. The villages are known for their tourist infrastructure and beautiful beaches. The distance of Schinokapsala to the sea is 6 to 8 kilometers depending on the route.
The surroundings of the village are rich in vegetation, thanks to many springs and rivers such as Psyhro. The water from the springs flows through the gorge of Milonas and ends in the sea. The pine tree forest of Leivadakia is located on the north of the village.

08/11/2019

Perivolakia is a village and a municipal district in Makrygialos in Lasithi. Pervolakia is now split into two. The newer Kato Pervolakia is inhabited and working. Pano Pervolakia is now a deserted mountain village. The inhabitants moved to Kato Pervolakia.

Perivolakia is a village and a municipal district in Makrygialos in Lasithi. Perivolakia lies at an altitude of 174 m and it has 44 people (1991).
Pano Perivolakia is a settlement at an altitude of 490 m and it has 5 people.
Pezoulas lies at an altitude of 390 meters and approximately 6 people live in a settlement.
The village inhabitants were originally settled in the area of the Toplou monastery, which used to bare the name Pervolakia. The assumption is that 3 families came to Pervolakia. The first family settled in Kato Pervolakia, the second in Pano Pervolakia and the third in Pezoulas.
Pervolakia is now split into two. Pano (Epano) Pervolakia and Kato Pervolakia.
Pano Pervolakia is now a deserted mountain village. The inhabitants moved to Kato Pervolakia. There were better living conditions. The remains of stone houses, churches and school remind of the former life in the village. Lemons, oranges and olive trees and small overgrown gardens decorate the white wall of the houses. Pano Pervolakia sits on an outcrop of rock overlooking the ravine and the river flows down to the sea.
The newer Kato Pervolakia is inhabited and working. It is set around a river. Kato Pevolakia is a small traditional village with the church of of Kimisi Theotokou.
Pezoulas is the old and now abandoned village. It is located about 500 m from the village of Pervolakia.
From Pervolakia village starts the Pervolakia gorge which leads to the beautiful beach below the Monastery of Kapsa.
Vernoferto Caves are located on the western side of Kapparo Kefala mountain, near Pervolakia village.

08/11/2019

Oreino ( Ορεινό) is a small and very quiet mountain village and a municipal district in Makrygialos in Lasithi regional unit on Crete. Since 2011 it belongs to Ierapetra municipality.
The village is located about 11 km inland from the main road and the sea, the distance to Makrigialos is approximately 14 km and 28 km northeast of Ierapetra.

Oreino ( Ορεινό) is a small and very quiet mountain village and a municipal district in Makrygialos in Lasithi regional unit on Crete. Since 2011 it belongs to Ierapetra municipality.
The village is located about 11 km inland from the main road and the sea, the distance to Makrigialos is approximately 14 km and 28 km northeast of Ierapetra. The village of Oreino with 172 inhabitants (2011) is situated at 640 m above sea level, east of Thrypti mountain, in an area rich in vegetation. The historic mountain village has an old houses and a modern houses. Orino has an attractive village square surrounded by tended gardens with walnut trees, bunches of grapes, flowers and fruit trees. The village of Orino has two churches and in the summer a small river flows through the village. Orinó was already listed in the Venetian census as Orno, and had 217 inhabitants at that time. The national poet, Dionysios Solomos has roots in the village of Orino. Orino is located among vineyards and lots of olive trees, at the beginning of a gorge, which is known for its red butterflies. A beautiful mountainous village in a landscape with pine trees, rocks and with the starting point for the path to the mount Thripti and to the gorge of Red Butterflies. The top of the mountain of Thriptis is a part of the European route E4 and a place of religious piety in the church of Afentis Christos at tallest point of top. The church of the Transfiguration (9631 - 1204 AD) from the Byzantine period is located inside the gorge.
The settlements Andrianos and Kalyvitis are the two abandoned communities at a mountain are located next to the village of Orino.
Andrianos has approximately 23 people. Kalyvitis has approximately 29 people.
Kalyvitis is an idyllic place in the southeast of Crete. The village is surrounded by olive and citrus groves and mountains with fragrant pine trees. Only 5 minutes drive from the sea with outlying coves.
The residents keeps goats, sheep and poultry, cares for bees and grows olives, fruits and vines.

08/11/2019

Mavros Kolymbos (Μαύρο Κολύμπους) is a settlement and a beach in Makrygialos in Lasithi. Mavros Kolymbos lies at an altitude of 5 meters.
Mavros Kolimbos is located 18 km east of the town of Ierapetra, between Agia Fotia and Makrigialos (8 km). The village lies on coastal road with many secluded coves at the foot of the local mountain range.

Mavros Kolymbos (Μαύρο Κολύμπους) is a settlement and a beach in Makrygialos in Lasithi. Mavros Kolymbos lies at an altitude of 5 meters. Approximately 113 people live in Mavros Kolymbos. Locations near Mavros Kolymbos include the settlement of Agios Panteleimon Orinou and the settlement of Achlia. Locations near Agios Panteleimon Orinou include the settlement of Kalyvitis.
Mavros Kolimbos is located 18 km east of the town of Ierapetra, between Agia Fotia and Makrigialos (8 km). The village lies on coastal road with many secluded coves at the foot of the local mountain range. Mavros Kolimbos has all amenities, shops, banks, a pharmacy, bakeries, regular bus service etc. It lies along a long sandy beach and has a picturesque fishing harbour with some cafeterias and taverns.
The beautiful church of Agios Paneleimonas is situated at a small beach. In recent years the village was renamed Agios Panteleimonas after the church. Agios Panteleimon beach is a nice beach with dark grey pebbles and usually calm water. The seabed is rocky in some places, making it ideal for snorkelling. Other beaches east of Mavros Kolimbos are Diaskari, Langada, Amoudi, Galini and Koutsouras. The some of them are commercial beaches and some are deserted.
The inhabitants of the villages Mavros Kolymbos - Agios Panteleimon Orinou make their living by working in agriculture. The villages have a many greenhouses with a vegetables.
A tourism has also been developing in recent years.

08/11/2019

Zakros is the picturesque village to the wonderful Lassithi Plateau. It was built on the slopes of Mount Selena, a part of the Mount Dikti. The village of Zakros consists of Epano and Kato Zakros. The village of Zakros is located 38 km from Sitia. It has 1050 inhabitants. Zakros is the commercial and administrative center of the area.
The following settlements belong to the administrative district of Zakros: Pano and Kato Zakros, Adravasti, Azokeramos, Kellaria, Klisidi and the monastery dependencies of Agios Georgios, Sfaka, Kaneva, and Skalia.
E4-path goes from Epano Zakros through the Gorge of the Dead (5.5 km) to Kato Zakros. Kato Zakros lies near the coast and the Minoan Palace.
Zakros or Epano (Ano) Zakros lies in a fertile valley between hills. At the upper part of the village are the big and renowned springs of Zakros. Their flow is about 800 cubic meters of water per hour. In the past, water from these sources has driven the surrounding water mills. The village has a some restored water mills and the Water Museum.
The water from these sources is used for irrigation of olive and orange groves. The land is very fertile. The inhabitants of village are farmers, producing mainly olive oil. The olive oil of Zakros is famous in all over the world. Over 250 000 olive trees are growing in nearby groves.
Kato Zakros is a pretty little seaside village at a magnificent bay with sandy and pebble beach. The village is situated 40m above the sea surface in a fertile valley with olive groves. A lovely bay is surrounded by a vegetation and wild cliff sides.
Few people living in the area of Zakros find employment in the tourism sector. In this area it is underdeveloped. The beach of Kato Zakros is not organized, but it provides a wonderful place for relaxation. A several fish taverns are on the beach and a few people are occuping with fishing.
The area is declared as archaeological site. The construction of new buildings is prohibited.
The archaeologist professor Nikolaos Platon excavated a Minoan mansion with a stone winepress and murals with plant topics of various colours and a large jar with characters of the linear on the road to Kato Zakros at the village limits.
The traces in the Pelekita cave show the human existence in the area from the Neolithic Era.
During the Minoan Era was a very important trading center with relations with Africa and the Middle East. The palace at Zakros is the fourth in terms of size, among the Minoan palaces. It had two main building phases (the old palace in 1900 B.C. and a new palace in 1600 B.C.). The Minoan Palace was destroyed in 1450 B.C., along with the other centres of Minoan Crete. The palace was the administrative, religious and commercial centre of the town.
During the Venetian Occupation Zakros was in the maps of the area by the name Xacro. Later, it was destroyed by the 1471 and 1583 Turkish attacks. The settlement was stated again in the 1880 Turkish census.
The Valley of the Dead is full of oleanders, plane trees and caves. The caves were a burial site by the Minoans. Hence the name Valley of the Dead. The tombs from the Minoan period and finds has a great archaeological importance. The gorge of the Dead is part of the E4-path. It takes about 2 hours to cross the gorge.

07/11/2019

Lithines is a village and a municipal district of Makrygialos in Lasithi. The village of Lithines lies an altitude of 227 meters, near the settlements of Vori and Etia and has cca 429 people (1991).
The village of Lithines is a picturesque settlement built on the top of a hill which is surrounded by olive groves. It is a village with unspoilt nature a production the best olive oil in Crete. In the southeast of the settlement is a cliff from which the river stitches. The pine area still exists near the settlement.
The village was mentioned for the first time in 1369. It is thought to be founded as early as 1082. Emperor Alexios I Komnenos - according to a document from the Gonia monastery on the Rodopos peninsula - is supposed to have sent 12 families to Crete in order to consolidate the Byzantine Empire's power over the island. The 12 families were: Fokas, Skordilis, Gavalas, Kalafatos, Arkoleos, Chortatzis, Mousouros, Varouchas, Melissinos, Litinos, Argyropoulos and Vlastos.
The name of the village derives from the Byzantine nobleman Lucas Litinos, who arrived in Crete in 1182. The settlement of Lithines was founded during the 2nd Byzantine period by the the family of Litinon.
The area around Lithines was already inhabited around 1100-800 BC. They testify to it a tombs found at an area.
The Venetian tower was constructed during the Venetian period. It had a three floors. In 1822 (1897) a group of 140 Turkish men and 250 women was hidden in the tower. The Greek revolutionaries tried to blow up the tower. The tower began to burn. The Turks wanted to extinguish the fire, but they mistook a barrel of raki with water. Only one woman survived, when she jumped from the tower. The Venetian tower was destroyed.
The village of Lithines is a small village with many old stone houses, a narrow roads and streets, a number of taverns and kafenions, a small supermarket and a few churches.
Lithines is studded with old Byzantine churches and chapels, some of them tiny and in out-of-the-way places. The marvelous icons and "tamata" (oblations) are in the churches of Aghios Athanasios and Panagia from 15th century. The Byzantine church of Agii Apostoli lies the area of Andromili. The small Byzantine church of Panagia was built from stone around the 15th century and its the icon of Virgin Mary is miraculous according to legend. The Byzantine church of Agios Athanassios was renovated in 1587. Outside the church is the tomb of a man named Vlatsos. The church of Agia Triada (Αγίας Τριάδας) is situated at a square of village with a bell tower.
The surroundings of the village Lithines is studded with old Byzantine churches and chapels, as the little chapel of Agios Antonios near cave, the monastery of Timiou John Prodromou of Kapsa (Moni Kapsa) and the small church of Prophet Elijah on a top a small hill. Pervolakia gorge or Kapsa gorge, the small gorge of Petinos or gorge of Anavryta and Lagada beach are near a village.
Villa De Mezzo in Etia is one of the most glorious Venetian buildings in Crete. It is built in Etia. Etia is an deserted medieval village, located near Lithines.

07/11/2019

The small village of Lagada is a settlement and a beach in Makrygialos in Lasithi.

The village of Lagada or Lagkada is an old settlement which borders with Lithines. It was built 300 m north of the seacoast and 500 m away of Diaskari beach. The name of Lagkada (valley) comes from the nearby valley, west of the settlement, which is crossed by the river Lagkadiotis.
Today, the small village of Lagada is a settlement and a beach in Makrygialos in Lasithi. It lies at an altitude of 40 meters and has approximately 52 people.
Lagkada is beautiful traditional village with pretty churches in a green surrounding. Is is situated in a fertile valley with lots of olive trees and it lies near from the sea and the beaches.
The large Agios Savvas church lies in the village. It is built in the shape of a cross, with a dome and a bell tower. A water source is located at the bottom of the church. The church of Agia Triada is situated a bit higher up, near the cemetery of the village. The small monastery is behind olive groves, glued to the mountain.
The beach of Lagkada is located 5 km eastern from the village of Makrigialos and 3 km western from the Kapsa Monastery. The beach is isolated and undeveloped. It is 400 m long with sand, pebbles and tamarisk trees. The village has the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and the Mediterranean Sea with crystal clear waters. The first 150 meter of the beach is naturist friendly.
The beach of Diaskari lies across the hill on the west side of Lagada beach. It is the equally quiet sandy beach.
The island of Koufonisi lies off the coast.
Karavospilios cave and the remains of the Minoan town of Dioskourioi are located below the Vigla hill on the southeast side of the beach of Diaskari.
The Kapsa Monastery is built along the coast on a rock, close to the spectacular Perivolakia Gorge.
The area is good for cultivation of olive trees, vineyards and greenhouse products, as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, aubergines and bananas, which grow all year round.
The main industry is tourism, greenhouses and the harvesting of the olive trees.

07/11/2019

The village Christos is built at a mountainous and precipitous site, in the west mountain slopes of Dikti. It lies at an altitude of 550 m above sea level and it has 151 people.
The village of Christos is a settlement in Ierapetra in Lasithi, it is 2 km from the village of Malles and 4 km from the village of Metaxachori.
The village was built centuries ago, in the 11-th century AD.
According to local legends, the first inhabitants of Christos observed a light in the evenings at a mountain. They found an icon of the Christ among bushes. They built the village on this spot.
Christos is small mountain village. It lies in a beautiful mountain area, with many olive and orange trees, a small gorge, the cliffs, the huge rocks, karstic landscape, the valley with the largest Selakano pine forest of Crete, streams of clear water from the mountains and also with the amazing view of the Libyan Sea.
Christos is a beautiful village, with narrow sloping cobbled alleys, that remain unaltered in time. Two rivers flow through the village of Christos. The church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour from 18th century was build on earlier Byzantine chapel in the south of the village. The square has the tavern with the gigantic plane trees.
The chapel of Agia Paraskevi is a bit out from the village with a beautiful square.
The Ancient city Malla is located near the village. Malla is an Archaeological site and an Acropolis. A peak sanctuary, the temple of a goddess or god, an acropolis or a fortress of ancient Malla is located above the chapel of Agia Paraskevi. It is one of the most beautiful places in Crete.
The plateau of Selekanos is located near Christos. It is a valley of fairy tale beauty, with the largest uninterrupted pine forest of Crete, the church of Saint Eustace and the Panagia (Our Lady) Selakaniotissa, Stella’s coffee house and the private events hall of the cultural association of Selakanos.
The gorge of Selakanos and the routes to the peaks Afentis and Lazaros of Dikti are located near village.
The most of the residents still live from agriculture. Those who moved into the village of Xerokampos, work in the greenhouses at the vegetable production. They grow all kinds of crops, as bananas, tomatoes or other vegetables.

07/11/2019

Aspros Potamos is a modern coastal settlement and a popular tourist destination. The small renovated settlement of Aspros Potamos lies at the valley with the olive groves at the base of the Pefki Gorge.
Aspros Potamos is 29 km from Ierapetra town, 33 km from the seaside town of Sitia and 1 km from Makrigialos. The settlement belongs administratively to Makrys Gialos. Approximately 18 people live in Aspros Potamos. The village od Analipsi and the beach of Langada are located near Aspros Potamos.
Aspros Potamos is known to be the most ancient settlement in the area of Pefki. The settlement was wealthy in the past and much larger. Because of the close distance from the sea it was subject to incursions. The constant attacks from pirates forced the inhabitants to abandon the settlement. They sought refuge in the higher mountain ranges. The inhabitants lived during the harsh winter months in the settlement and in summer they returned to the gardens to the sea. The old inhabitants of Aspros Potamos are considered to be the first settlers of the mountain area of Pefki.
The cottages in the hamlet were originally owned the inhabitants of Pefki. They used them when working in olive orchards.
Nowadays, all the relics and the old stone and soil built houses have been renovated and fully restored. The settlement of Aspros Potamos has been characterised as traditional and its authenticity is protected by the Greek government. The architecture of the area is typical to south-east Crete. The stone built houses (10 in total) are in harmony with nature and the guest will feel as if living in the old times. The houses were built 300 years ago and they were last renovated in 2011.
The area is famous for its natural beauty. The mountains from the north and the valley from the south that reaches the settlement of Analypsi. The stream Aspros Potamos runs through the valley and the settlement. Aspros Potamos means White River. After rain the water of river are white from limestone of the mountains. The mountains with lush greenery, pine, olive and citrus trees, many beaches as Staousa and Diaskari Beach and four magnificent gorges.
The exit of the gorge of Sarakina is in the area Pisokaminos, close to the village of Aspros Potamos. The a large rock of Volakas tou Sarakinou - Saracen’s rock is at a short distance from the village of Aspros Potamos.
The settlement of Diaskari is located on the east side of Analypsis settlement. The remains of an old town from Minoan era lie on the hill of Bigla, 300m on the east of Diaskari. Cave of Karavospilios lies next to the remains of the Minoan town.

07/11/2019

Agios Stefanos is a small traditional greek village in the mountains above Makrys Gialos. The village of Agios Stefanos lies 30 km east of Ierapetra, 6 km from Makrigialos, 40 km southwest of Sitia and 6 km east of Stavrohori.
The village of Agios Stefanos is at an altitude of 453 m and it had 250 residents in 2017. The village of Pefki and the village of Stavrochori are neighboring villages. Its location offers unique views of the Libyan Sea and the mountains of Thryptis.

Agios Stefanos is a village in Ierapetra in Lasithi. It is a small traditional greek village in the mountains above Makrys Gialos. The village of Agios Stefanos lies 30 km east of Ierapetra, 6 km from Makrigialos, 40 km southwest of Sitia and 6 km east of Stavrohori. The road to the village leads through a beautiful pine tree forest of Pefkoseli and olive trees.
The village of Agios Stefanos is at an altitude of 453 m and it had 250 residents in 2017. The village of Pefki and the village of Stavrochori are neighboring villages. Its location offers unique views of the Libyan Sea and the mountains of Thryptis.
The village's previous name was Gras or Greas mentioned by Piero Castrofilaca, the Venetian accountant of Crete in 1583. Today the village has the name Agios Stefanos, according to the church of Agios Stefanos.
The church of Agios Stefanos has interesting architecture, the interior and exterior decoration. The window and lattice of church are all carved from one piece of stone.
The church is the main reference point of the village. Agios Stefanos has narrow cobblestone streets, the house on the house and the small square.
The Kimeri, the old source of water was restored with the characteristic arch, for houses where there is no water.
On the steep hill at the top of the village is ruined Venetian fortress (Kastelos or Fortezza). It was built on the foundations of an ancient acropolis (the Citadel), probably of geometric times. It was devastated by the raids of the pirate Blackbeard.
Further north from Agios Stefanos village they are ruins from Venetian built terraces for vineyards, olive groves and other crops. Agios Stefanos today produces around 300tons of olive oil.
The village was not the object of archaeological research, but findings suggest, the village was inhabited from the 9th century BC.
In the 1980s, many Agios Stefanos villagers retired from the village due to the increasing development of tourism in Makrigialos.
However, tourists discovered the beauty of the mountain village.
In the cafes, tourists are taught in the game of lyre and bouzouki every summer.
Philippe from Belgium settled in Agios Stefanos. He built a small observatory in the village. All visitors can enjoy the starry sky throughout the year.
The village was the birthplace of Anagnostis Funtalides a Cretan MP in 1879. He and another villager, Emmanuel Kamenakis were the leaders of the 1866 revolution in Sitia against the Ottomans. In Agios Stefanos was also the birthplace of Fundalides son Emmanuel, also an MP in late 19th century.

07/11/2019

Stavrochori was the most populous village of the region and the administrative center of the surrounding settlements. Since the last 30 years, the majority of its population has moved to the seaside settlement of Koutsouras, 7 kms to the south. In the past they ran away from pirates from Koutsouras to the mountains.

Stavrochori is a historic and one of the mountain villages in the district of Lassithi in the eastern part of Crete. It is part of Ierapetra municipality. It is 26 km from Ierapetra, 6 km from a small seaside village of Makris Gialos and 35 kms southwest from Sitia.
Stavrochori is built at an altitude of 313 m and has 147 habitants. Stavrochori also includes Tsikkalaria, the settlement of Lapithos and the village of Orino.
Lapithos lies 1 km east of Stavrochori. The settlement of Lapithos lies at an altitude of 340 m. It has 25 inhabitants (2011).
Tsikalaria is a settlement in Makrygialos in Lasithi. It lies at an altitude of 70 m, near the village of Koutsouras and the beach of Kalamokania.
Koutsouras is a village in Makrygialos in Lasithi. The village is also a port, a town hall and a municipal district. Koutsouras lies at an altitude of 10 m and has approximately 775 inhabitants in 2011. Koutsouras is located near the settlement of Tsikalaria and the beach of Kalamokania.
Stavrochori was the most populous village of the region and the administrative center of the surrounding settlements. Since the last 30 years, the majority of its population has moved to the seaside settlement of Koutsouras, 7 kms to the south. In the past they ran away from pirates from Koutsouras to the mountains.
Stavrochori is a traditional village with many sights. The picturesque narrow alleys of the village intersect at the picturesque small square at the center of the village. The watchtower of the village was at the place, where are now most of the coffeehouses. The watchtowers were built every 300 m, towards the sea.
The inhabited houses are decorated with flowers, trees of lemon, bougainvillas, figs and grapes. The streets are narrow. The church of Agia Triada, the old Orthodox church and the small picturesque church of Agios Konstantinos next a waterfall (30 m) are located in the village of Stavrochori.
Stavrochori is the birthplace of Ioannis Papachatzakis (Stravogiannios). He was a violinist, who lived and died in Ierapetra. Papachatzakis was the one of the most important musicians in Crete with a great contribution to the musical tradition of Lasithi.
The village of Stavrochori is famous its various festivals of celebrate the saints. The festivals take place throughout the year.
The most popular festival is the one, that takes place at the Monastery of Panagia Lygia on the 15th of August.
Lapithos village lies on the winding road from Koutsouras through mountains to Stavrochori. Lapithos is a small village with fig and orange trees and with a beautiful small church surrounded by fields of olive trees. The village is almost deserted. A beautiful traditional fountain is located in the old settlement of Lapithos.
In the valley between the village of Stavrochori and the village of Koutsouras is the deserted village Tsikalaria and a complex of watermills.
Koutsouras is a new village. It was built about 1950, especially for residents of Stavrochori. The residents of Stavrochori have moved to the more fertile part in the neighborhood. Koutsouras is built in a valley of pine trees, greenhouses and olive groves on the southern foot of Mount Thripti.
A charming village has a beautiful sandy beach and shallow, clean waters which is ideal for families with children, a hotels, an apartments, a restaurants, a police station, a pharmacy, a doctor, a supermarkets and etc.
The beaches with coarse black sand or pebbles and calm waters are around the village. The main beach in front of the village is well organized. The beach has lots of trees. Kalamokania beach is one of the best in the region.
The majority of the population in Koutsouras live from agriculture. The village has a many greenhouses with vegetables.
West of Koutsouras lies the Dasaki Valley - the gorge of Red Butterflies. It is an impressive and beautiful nature reserve ideal for undertaking some hiking trips.
24 churches and chapels are located in a village and its surroundings.
In the hills of mountains from Koutsouras lies the interesting chapel of Agios Fanourios.

07/11/2019

Monastiraki village is one of the most traditional villages of Lasithi Prefecture with stone-built houses, absolutely adapted by the environment, with amazing view of Mirambello gulf, the village of Pachia Ammos and Ierapetra’s plain. The picturesque Monastiraki lies in the shadow of the imposing Canyon of Ha on the foot of Thripti mountain.
Settlement flourished in the 19th century. Monastirakj village is known from 1853 when Kastrofilakas report it as Monastiri with 221 residents. The village of Monastiraki arose from a Byzantine monastery, which was dedicated to St. Constantine and St. Helena. Remains of the walls of the monastery have been preserved near the chapel of Agios Stefanos. The buildings around the chapel of Agios Stefanos were once residences of the monks, around which later the village was grouped. The village was gradually abandoned and for many years only one resident was staying in the area.
The village Monastiraki belongs administratively to the municipality of Pachia Ammos and is built in altitude of 180 metres. Monastiraki has 20 habitants. Today the Monastiraki after systematic restorations of buildings and infrastructure is one of the most beautiful villages of Ierapetra. The reformation of village’s paths was completed as well as the creation of the water supply, the sewerage and the maintenance of public lighting.
There is the Byzantine church of Saint Stefanos and the church of Saint George in the village.
The village of Monastiraki has two tavernas and a kafenion. Taverna of To Monastiraki lies at the village entrance, above Agios Stefanos. A kafenion lies at the staircase opposite the Byzantine Agios Georgios chapel. Taverna of Kapillion (Καπηλειό) lies above the chapel Agios Georgios. All the restaurants offer traditional Cretan cuisine.
The Monastiraki Village Traditional Guesthouse offers accommodation in Monastiraki.
Thrypti is a mountain and a wetland in Lassithi in the Crete Region. It lies at an altitude of 1,476 meters. Aori is the local name of Mount Thrypti. The mountains of Thrypti has the highest peak Afentis Stavromenos with the church of Afentis Christos at an altitude of 1476m. Cha gorge and mountains of Thrypti have rich vegetation and many rare species of animals and birds. Ha gorge is the one of Europe's major tectonic fractures.
The watermills are located west of the Cha gorge. From the village of Monastiraki, a dirt road leads to former water mills.
The ancient refuge Katalymata (Καταλύματα) is located at the northwestern end of the Ha gorge, on the left side of the gorge.
The area was inhabited only in times of war and destruction. The building remains and finds were from six epochs Copper Age (about 3,500 BC), Middle Minoan Old Palace (MM II, about 1700 BC), Late Minoan post-palace period (SM IB - SM IIIA1, 1.450 - 1.400 BC) and (SM IIIC, 1.200 - 1.150 BC), Early Byzantine period (late 7th century) and Venetian period (16th - 17th century).
The subsequent settlement of Katalymata, on the northern slope of the Ha gorge exit, was Chalasmenos (Χαλασμένος) or Halasmenos . The place was inhabited from Late Minoan times to the Iron Age. Chalasmenos is located about 600 m northeast of the place Monastiraki at a height of 230 m.