Knosa – Lasiti



35€

Adults



17€

Children



FREE

Infants

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ancient ruines of famouse Knossos palace at Crete, Greece, retro toned

Knosa – Lasiti

Crete has much beauty as it is surrounded by sea, but a drive up in the mountains opens a new world and experience. More than half of the island is covered in mountains, the highest being Psyloritis 2456m above sea level, but the most popular being the Dikti mountains, where the highest point is 2148m above sea level.

Some 900m above sea level here in the Dikti mountains are located the highest gardens of Crete, one of the highest in Europe, and this is called Lasithi Plato. This area is different from the rest of the island, with different nature, greener, and temperatures not as high as the coast. Here, you see apple trees, strawberries, cherries, and no more olive trees like all around the island. Some say it is a volcanic crater, but some say it is a lake, but stones deep in the ground don’t let water flow, but what is the truth?

This area is not just green, beautiful, and different from the rest of the island; this area is one of the most mythical areas on Crete as these mountains surrounding Lasithi Plato are the ones to hold the cave where legendary God Zeus was born. A shelter that will impress each visitor, full of stalagmites that look like teeth, makes You think about our roots and the true colors of nature and its power. It is believed that this used to be a worship place for the Minoans that used to live on the island centuries ago. It’s incredible how 4000 years ago it was a worship place, and now there are several monasteries around this area; it appears that some things don’t change in human nature. This area has suffered different attacks throughout history, and the scars are visible all around the small villages in this area.

Nowadays we write, we count, we use fragrance and other cosmetics, we have presidents, parliaments, we even have flush toilets and fully equipped bathrooms, but can You imagine that it has existed for already 4000 years? And that even it comes from 20s century BC? This is a fraction of all the things made and invented in a palace that was here 20s century BC and was called Knossos – the place of knowledge. Just a little more than 100 years ago, this magical place was discovered, and now it is believed to be the first palace of Europe. Of course, the time has done its job, and the court has suffered, and now it’s mostly ruined. Still, so many archaeological findings have been found here, some parts have been restored, and just by stepping on the ground where this palace is, is a magical feeling as You realize it is as old as time.

Program

This trip starts around 08:30 am, depending on your location. You can prepare your phones or cameras straight away. As you drive higher in the mountain, a magnificent view will appear. Your first stop is by a worship place, monastery Kera, where you will have time to explore the area and enjoy the peace and just nature noises. And as You will leave this place, the view will get only more and more amusing.

By the entrance of Lasithi Plato, the first marks of history await – ruins from Venetian wind meals. And, of course, a complete shift in nature as different plants, flowers, and trees appear. To reach the next stop, you drive slowly around the Plato. The next stop is the cave of Zeus above the village Psychro. Still, to visit the cave from the parking there is small hiking to do till the entrance, but don’t worry, it’s a paved path, it takes about 20 minutes to walk to reach the door, for smaller visitors there is a local taxi service available – donkeys!

After the beautiful experience in the cave, your adventure continues to the local ceramic workshop. They show you and tell you how this thing is done here in Crete, as this tradition also started in the Minoan era. But then you continue to the next village where you can have lunch if you wish or walk and wander around and enjoy the local atmosphere.

After a fantastic time in this area, it’s time to leave this area to continue to an olive oil factory as this tradition also is very important on the island, and it is believed that the olive was a gift from goddess Athena and the first olive oil press was created here on the island in the Minoan era. More than 35 million olive trees are growing on the island, so it’s interesting to know what local people do with so many olives! And of course, you can also purchase some of the best local produce.

After learning all about olives and olive oil, you will continue your trip to the last stop of the day; the highlight of this tour – the Palace of Knossos, located next to the city of Heraklion, the administrative center of Crete. Here you will have the opportunity to learn and explore this place and culture and, of course, archaeology behind all this. After spending a reasonable amount of time in this historical monument, your bus will bring you back to your hotel, and your day will end at about 19:00.