PREFECTURE, PROVINCE

AND MUNICIPAL OF LASSITHI

THE LAND OF JUPITER AND EUROPA

1. LASSITHI IS ONE OF THE LOVELIEST AREAS OF WOLD

The prefecture of Lassithi occupies the eastern part of the island and it is divided into 8 municipalities: Aghios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, Sitia, Neapoli, Makri Gialos, Lefki, Lassithi (Plateau of Lassithi) and Itanos

No other prefecture of Greece shows such a particularity as Lassithi. The primary factor of such a particularity is the existence of so many regions which combine natural beauty with historical and archaeological interest. We say "no other prefecture", because the triptych of interests in this prefecture is really unparalleled. Regions as the palm - forest of Vai,  plateau of Lassithi, Beaches of Sisi, Makri gialos etc, Dicti mountains, Dictaion  antro (the cave that born Jupiter) etc  are unique in Greece.

Agios Nikolaos is the capital of prefecture Lassithi, 9500 inhabitants about, famous for its graphic lake, which lies near the port

Sitia is a beautiful harbour town with 8500 inhabitants, about.

Ierapetra, the town of the district with the same name, with 10 000 inhabitants, is the largest town on the south coast of Crete and the southernmost of Europe. Blessed with very mild climate, temperatures rarely dropping below 12 degrees centigrade in the winter, while the rain fall is extremely low. The average number of sunshine days exceeds 340 a year. The mild climate, favourable to agriculture is the important reason for the development of many green houses to the west of the town, producing off season vegetable for export in the main European markets.

Vai and Elunda are fantastic beaches. Enjoy your swimming in its clear waters.

2. PLATEAU OF LASSITHI = LAND OF JUPITER AND EUROPA

The plateau of Lassithi is one of the most beautiful areas in Crete. It is a green, fertile valley (817 m. altitude), covering an extension of 25,000 sq. km. full of cultivation of potatoes, garden and fruit products and almond - trees. The scenery's beauty is completed with the 10,000 windmills which are scattered here for the area's watering.

The plateau of Lassithi or province of Lassithi is a part of prefecture Lassithi and one of the most beautiful areas in Crete. It is a green, fertile valley (817 m. altitude), covering an extension of 25,000 sq. km. full of cultivation of potatoes, garden and fruit products and almond - trees. The territory consists of 18 villages, while the capital village of Tzermiado has about 1,000 inhabitants.

The (Plateau of) Lassithi is something that it escapes from the human imagination. It undeniably constitutes one from most graphic, more beautiful, more admirable regions not only Crete, but also the entire world. Has a separate beauty, a charm differently from that of other regions, something that him does not meet no one often somewhere elsewhere. He is full from landscapes natural good and sees sights. At the same time does the plateau Lassithi resemble with a enormous natural fortress that you say and some divine hand him it manufactured with superabundant charm, beauty and art. These are also the reason that, according to the ancient sources and the delivery, the god Re'a came for gave birth Jupiter (Zeus), as well as the Jupiter brought here Europe and slept with her, after him it stole from the Phoenicia (ancient mythological country).

On the Lasithi Plateau the spectacle of 10,000 windmills is unique. On the past the plain was irrigated by whited-sailled windmills, 10 000 in all. This way of supplying water was designed by Venetian engineers in 1464. Minoan remains have been found here, indicating that the area has been inhabited since ancient times. The village was built in the 15th century and its history is intimately linked with that of the plateau.

ANTIQUITIES - HISTORY

Excavations at Diktaion Andron (cave of Jupiter), at Trapeza cave (cave of Saturn), at Karfi and Plati, indicate that the area has been inhabited ever since the Neolithic Period. Later in the years, it was part of the ancient city of Littos which thrived. During the Cretan fight for liberty, during the Venetian Rule and Turkish Occupation, Lassithi plateau provided refuge to the persecuted fighters, a fact which forced the Venetians, in 1263, to forbid all establishment and cultivation in the area.

WINDMILLS

In the past the plain was irrigated by whited-sailled windmills, 10 000 in all. This scenic way of supplying water was designed by Cretan engineers. Although very few windmills are in use today, it still makes a splendid sight against the mountains.

3. MUNICIPALITY OF PLATEAU LASSITHI

The territoryof Lassithi consists of 20 villages, while the capital village of Tzermiado has to day 735 inhabitants.

Address: Tzermia'dho Village, T.K. 72052 Lassithi Crete

According to the last inventory, the municipality had: man 1596, women 1589 and total 3.185. According to the previous inventory (the population each year is decreased) his population was: man and women 4.220

The Municipality of Lassithi includes the following villages (as we came from Heraklion):

Pinakiano' (135 residents),   

Laghu (Hare, 125 residents),  

Tzermia'tho (748 residents),              

Farsa'ro (49 residents),

Marmake'to (110 residents),

Mesa Lassithi (198),   

M. Lasitha'kj (34 residents),

Saint Konstantinos (184 residents) And I. Abbey Krystalle'nias (9 residents)

Saint Geo’rgios (552 residents),

Kudhumalia' - Avrako'nte (120 residents),

Kamina'ki (378 residents),

Maghula's (89 ka't.), Psichro (311 residents),

Plati (179 residents),

Saint Hara'lampos,  

Kato Meto'hi (165 residents) & Monastery Vidiani’s.

The above-mentioned villages:

a) Are around found in foot of mountains and around in the flat part of plain of Plateau, minus the villages Messa and Exo Potami  (= In and Outside Rivers), that are found in the nape Mjrambe'lu.

V) Older, with the villages Messa and Exo Potami  they constituted   a province, the province Lassithi, that had 18 villages and 12 communities. Today the villages Messa Potami and Exo Potami depend in the Municipality Ag. Nikolaos.

TRANSPORT: It exists daily with the Heraklion and Saint Nicolas, by KTEL. With private vehicle exists communication road with: a) E'mparo Vja'nnoy, b) Nea'poli Lassithi c) Hair via village Wine.

FOOD: Exist at length of way but also in the points of entry of Plateau a lot of restaurants - taverns with classic Greek or even traditional Cretan cooker where the visitor will find has lunch with local “specialite” in reasonable prices.

3. CAVES OF SATURN AND JUPITER

In the surrounding country side of Lassithi there are several caves of archaeological interest, one of which is the Trapeza cave or cave of Cronos (“Kronion cave”, Kronos = Saturn, father of Jupiter), east of the village at a height of 90 metres above the plain, and the other is the Dictaion Andron or cave of Jupiter, the birthplace of Zeus (and here was born the King Minos, the son of Jupiter and Europa) according to Greek Mythology.

DIKTAEO ANTRO  = CAVE OF JUPITER

 The Dictaeon Άntro is the place (the cave), according to ancient writers (Hommer, Plato, Hesiodus etc|) and the legend-delivery, where:

1) The god Jupiter was born (like the Cave of Bethlehem of Classical antiquity) and nourished (bring up). His mother Rea to prevent father Kronos from eating the young successor to the Olympian Throne hid Zeus in this caves.

2) The Minoan, his son Jupiter and critic of the Hades, came each nine years and it met his father Jupiter, where his which dictated his wise legislation, his wise commands, something as the Moses in term Sjna',

3) Epimenides fell asleep for very a lot of years (somewhere 57). The Cretan Epimenides, the most renowned seer, wonder - worker and poet of ancient Greece, who was also connected with the cult of Orphism, "slept" in this cave for many years and had various divine visions. Epimenides is considered to have been a historical person.

4) The Jupiter (Zeus) met (brought) Europa and he slept with her, after him stolen from the Phoenicia (= ancient country), and born Minos.

The Dictaeon Άntro is situated on the side of a mountain above the picturesque plateau of Lassithi at a height of 1025 m. west of the village of Psychro. The legendary birthplace of Zeus (Jupiter), this cave can be reached by going to the outskirts of the village of Psichro (48 km. east of Heraklion and 2 km. west of Agios Nicholaos), where, there is a path ascending to it.

Dictaeon Cave is overlooking the Lassithi Plateau; the view from the cave entrance is marvellous.

The cave of Dictaeon andro is not only a famous archaeological site, and among the most important in prehistoric Greece, but also one of the most beautiful and impressive of the 3.400 caves on Crete. One can go from the village to the cave on foot or by mule or donkey, which can be rented from the locals. A steep path leads to a small level area in front of the narrow entrance to the cave.

The descent into the fascinating cave demands some caution. Stalactites of various shapes adorn the lower cave. On the right there is a small "upper chamber'. At the end an irregular enclosure formed a kind of temenos with a roughly paved floor in places. Beside it was a square altar built of fieldstones. The visitor then descends a steep, slippery passage, 60 m. long, to reach an underground pool and various chambers with stalactites and stalagmites. One imposing stalactite has been given the name of the "Mantle of Zeus'.

Archaeologists have uncovered many icons and votive symbols, confirming that the cave was an important place of worship during the Minoan era. In the background of the cave is a small pond, where - according to myth - Zeus bathed and around which most of the offerings were found.

   MYTHOLOGY

According to ancient writers, Zeus was born and hidden in a cave of mountain Dicti (it called “dictaion antro” = cave of mountain Dicti) by his mother Rea to prevent father Kronos (Saturn) from eating the young successor to the Olympian Throne.

According to Hesiodus (“Theogony” = the gender of Gods), Zeus parents were Rhea and Kronos (Saturn, time), the children of Uranus and Gaia (Earth). Kronos intended to eat Zeus, in order to preserve his kingdom. This had been the fate of all his brothers and sister. Rhea tried to save Zeus. So she put a diaper on a stone to fool Kronos, and he swallowed it, believing it was his son.  The Saturn, his father Jupiter, ate all the children as soon as they were given birth, because his parents to him had said that is destiny one day somebody from his children to him to take the power (kingdoms). The Rhe'a, mother of Jupiter, when she was to give birth Jupiter, begged her parents, the Ground (= the earth) and Sky, organize some drawing with which she could   slip somewhere far, when she would give birth Jupiter, in order rescues him from the Saturn the teeth. These   they obeyed also him they sent Jupiter his medium darkness of rapid night in the city Ly'kto of Crete and from there in term Dicti, where she gave birth Jupiter. Of course as soon as the Rhe'a gave birth Jupiter, she touched with her hand and hid him in abrupt and hidden from the vegetation cavern. However some moment learned the Saturn details (results) and he came in the Dicti and asked to see the child. The Rhe'a knowing his intentions Saturn bided (dressed) a rock and gave in the Saturn, which immediately eaten (devoured), believing that it is the Jupiter and which later vomited (rejected) in the Parnassus. When grew the Jupiter, he murdered with the enormous force of his hands his father and became the same father of gods and persons, immortals and mortals, in Olympus.

      According to the other ancient writers, newer Hesio'dos: Άratos, Dio'doros Sikelio'ti, Virgilius etc when the Re'a gave birth Jupiter in the mountain Dicti in Crete, delivered him conceitedly in there Diktaean Kuri'tes, in one hand order to him they hide, because his father ate his children, and in other hand they attend his upbringing. They him hid   in a cavern of Dicti, called   "Diktaeon Άntro" . The Nymphs Adrasti and Ida raised Zeus, feeding him wild honey, milk (from the goat Amalthia), ambrosia, nectar and royal pulp. When Zeus cried, the Kourites covered his cries by hitting their swords against their shields.

When the Jupiter grew and became god and in particular head of gods of Olympus of (Olympic Pantheon) immediately visited his mother country Dicti and she built   there a city (it is not reported who), sample of his love for this.   Since then in deed he did not omit  visits   the Dicti each year.

In the Diktaian Cave the divine infant was suckled by the goat-nymph Amaltheia, who was a daughter of Oceanus. Also the nymphs and her father was King Melissaios (= the father of bees). Out of gratitude Zeus later set an image of her among the stars, the image that became known as Capricorn. He also took one of her horns the famous Horn of Plenty.

According to myths, Zeus was reared in the Diktaian Cave by bees or doves, and even by a sow. According to Athenaios it was owing to this belief of the Cretans that they never ate pork. Here, too, there must have been some totemic connection between the tribe and pigs. The god's upbringing was closely connected with the nine Kouretes, the sons of Gaia, the Earth-goddess. The Kouretes were the first to tame animals, invent the bow and teach men to live in peace together. They were worshipped all over Greece, but especially in Crete, and chiefly by the populace.

ZEUS AND EUROPE

One tradition also holds that it was here (at Lassithi, Dictaean cave), and too at Gortyn, that Zeus coupled with the lovely princess, Europa. Son of Jupiter and Europe was Minos or Minoas. Minos, a famous see man (Captain)  and lawgiver, went down the Diktaean cave to receive the laws of Zeus.

Observation:

1) Old (even before 20 - 30 years) at the moment of birth of child in the Dicti, kuradhia'ridhes (Kuri'tes) the Dicti they were gathered outside by the room (or the stockyard) her you give birth and shouted, they played etc, somehow in order that it describes the Isi'odos her scene you give birth his Zeus in the Dicti. This in one hand in order to are not heard the voices of mum and thus are discouraged the new girls or in order to they do not fear the other children and in other hand in order to they are glad the make. Of course some bodies of the wedded women remained as assistants in the pregnant mum and the other tied up the eyes of spouse with a neckerchief (ima's, belt > neckerchief) and with a other that has a knot in a end him they struck, without it knows who him strikes, in order to him they make ache, shout and participate thus and this in the pains of his spouse and at the same time in order to they laugh the children etc. Him they only changed in some moment with other man, if it found who stroked him.

2) The Saturn (= Greek Κρόνος), the father and unaffectionate his father Zeus, are the time (Greek time = Κρόνος - χρόνος), the gena'rhis (heat of a race) ma and murderer all, hence the unaffectionate father. The one that brings the life, as well as the resurrection of nature the Spring, but also that then him eats with the death in old age'. The Time (Saturn, Κρόνος) as element is given birth where exist Ground (earth) and Sky and in his kingdom (in the time) all are given birth, but also all die. Only that it does not die or that does not eat the Saturn (the time) is the life. It survives with subterfuge, with her closure in seed, something as becomes with the one that enters in cavern, therefore the Saturn (time) eats the body, the matter and the life rescues and revives then as child. This is also the reason that the Greek Mythology says that the Re’a giving him (to Saturn) it eats a stone instead of the newborn Zeus deceived the Saturn. The words "Kronus, Kρόνος” (= Saturn, time) and "Re'a" (= his spouse Zeus) etymological are produced from: εκ- ρέω > ροή, ρόος – ρους,... εκροή, κρόνος > χρόνος (= αυτό που εκ-ρέει, περνά...), όπως και εκ-δύνω > γδύνω, εν-βολιάζω > μπολιάζω κ.α.  Βλέπε και λεξικό “Αρχαίας Ελληνικής”,  Ι. Σιδέρη: «κρόνος = ο χρόνος, κρονόληρος = ο γέρος, ο πολύχρονος και ξεμωραμένος  άνθρωπος, (ε)κρέματα > χρήματα…..

3) Kuri'tes = the tutors, shepherd, <<kuradhja'ridhes>>, as are even said today in the Dicti (or Dikti) those that nourish <<kura'dhj>>, that is to say flock from sheep and goats, (see and "goat Ama'ltheja"). Etymology from: κουράω-ω, κουρίζω… "= I raise, to take care, to attend etc.,"κούρα, κουρά» = shear, the haircut or the toilet, embellishment, care, From there: "κουρεύω, κουράρω” … etc .

LASSITHI :  SPELLING - ETYMOLOGY – HISTORY

 In the Venetians maps with the name Campo   or Campagna di Lassiti is only said the flat part (the plain) of plateau Lassithi. Then from there took the same name firstly the province and then and the prefecture (county).

The prefecture was named "Lassithi" from the Cretan Revolutionary Administration of Liberty against the Turks the years 1866 – 18869 and afterwards the bloody 10day war of giants of Plateau Lassithi (211/5-30/5/1867), according to the Organic Law 1866 (Cf. Cretan Code, publication A’ ,Chania 1879 – 11889, tom A, p. 63)

The name "Lassithi" it is Venetian, possible, as so much other of Crete: Mirambe'lo, Spj'na Lo'ga, Souda, Bonofa'cio etc because that the Venetians were conquerors of island for very a lot of years.

When the Venetians occupied Crete, according to the delivery, but also the Venetian documents (Basilicata, Castrofylaca , Cauali etc.), they gave command to depopulated the Dikti and Lassithi, because became home of rebels. Then the Venetians allowed is lived Lassithi and   they engraved horizontal and vertical <<linies>> (= lines, hantax, channel, Banks), something that is still saved, and   they drained the plain. Then it bequeathed in Venetians and local people, from where came out, obviously, the Venetian name Lassiti, which means bequests, from Lascio - Lassio , lasciare... same happen in the Fates, from where came out and this name (Fates = mojrasja').

In the inventory of Kastrofy'laka, 1582 m.H., are reported all those where had obliged (rent) in the Venice. (More cf. St. Spana'ki, "Monuments of Cretan History".)

  In the Ηa'rta (map, chart) of Riga (1778 m.H.) is written "Lassj'ti", that is to say with the letter i and two ss. Similarly in the Venetian maps (1211- 1700m. H.) it is again written with i, however with two ss, that is to say " LASSITI "or LASSITHI , LASCITI ….., because the one s between two vowels accent as z, e.g. Rosa . Consequently, the correct spell is   "LASSITHI “ = Greek Λασίθι .

UNDER COSTRUCTION

SORRY FOR MY NOT GOOD ENGLISH