The Lasithi Plateau is a stunning location, believed to be the birthplace of the legendary Greek god Zeus. It is located around 70km southeast of Heraklion and boasts a fertile and peaceful region encompassed by the wild mountain ranges of Dikti and several smaller plateaus. Spanning an altitude range of 800m to 850m, it is one of the few inhabited areas in the Mediterranean located at such a high altitude. The municipality’s administrative capital, Tzermiado, is a noteworthy location, as are other prominent villages in the area, such as Agios Georgios and Psychro, which are known for their numerous natural springs.
During winter, the plateau is transformed into a snowy wonderland, providing an excellent opportunity for thousands of Cretans to venture out and appreciate the stunning white landscape. Sometimes, the snow persists on the mountaintops until the onset of summer. The 18 charming plateau villages are strategically located at the base of the surrounding mountains, leaving the plain area free for farming. This magnificent circular path is perfect for cycling, as the road is relatively flat, and all the major attractions of the plateau can be visited.
The Plateau is known for its iconic windmills with white sails that have become a trademark of the area. These windmills, which are made of lightweight metal, were built towards the end of the 19th century to irrigate the Lassithiot plain. However, due to the lack of incentives provided by the state, the traditional way of irrigation has been abandoned by young farmers, resulting in very few windmills still in operation today. Sadly, the landscape with 12,000 white windmills that once drew water from the wells to irrigate the gardens can only be seen in postcards. In recent years, an attempt has been made to restore old mills, although unfortunately, they are not functional for pumping water, but are restored for aesthetic reasons. At the entrance of the Plateau, you will find the largest mill site with stone windmills in Greece that were used for grinding grain.
The Plateau boasts an exceptional attraction known as linies, derived from the Latin word for “lines”. These are massive linear drainage works constructed by the Venetians to transport water across the plain, which was previously barren due to stagnant water. Thanks to the Venetians’ ingenious efforts, the area is now Crete’s most significant granary and continues to supply the entire island with top-quality vegetables. During your stroll in any part of the Plateau, you will encounter these lines, which are extensive ditches designed to remove water.
Numerous festivals are held during the summer season across the island of Crete. If you’re in the area of Heraklion, don’t miss the chance to attend festivals featuring traditional music, Cretan dances, and local delicacies. The most popular festival in the Lasithi Plateau area is the “Potato Festival” in Tzermiado, so be sure to make it a priority.
One of the most interesting attractions is the Dicteus Cave, also known as Zeus Cave, located near the village of Psychro. The cave had a significant cult role in ancient times and was believed to be the birthplace of Zeus, the king of gods. According to a myth, Zeus’ mother, Hera, took refuge in the cave to protect her son from his father Cronus, who was killing his children out of fear they would overthrow him as the world ruler. Thanks to Hera’s bravery, Zeus survived and went on to become the father of all gods, ruling from his kingdom on Mount Olympus. Another version of the myth suggests that Zeus was united with Europa in the cave, and their son Minos became the father of the Minoan civilization, which played a vital role in the formation of the Cretan culture.