A wonderful journey across the north white side of White Mountain ends with the plateau of Omarus.
The first village we come to is Fournes, rich in orange trees, then Laki village which is the last village in front of the plateau. Raki is a historic village and plays an important role in all the Crete Revolution (1821-1866). As you climb up to a height of 1080 meters, you are in the form of an irregular circle and reach the plateau of Omarus, surrounded by rugged awe-inspiring mountains. Because of its natural fortress, the plateau was always a refugee in all of the important revolution of Crete.
At the entrance of the plateau there is a small stone house only during the summer. There is church of St. George · Pantaremont. There is a tomb of the hero of the 1821 revolution against the Turks, Huttsumikaris Iannalis.
On the south side of the plateau you can see Xiloskalo where descent begins towards the valley of Saroma.
It is the biggest and most impressive valley in Europe. It extends 18 km from Xiloskalo point and ends in St Roumeli in the Libya Sea. The intersection is possible only in summer. We will start descending from Xiloskalo (altitude 1200 m). There, visitors are brought by magnificent landscape wildlife and vegetarian plants. After 4 to 5 kilometers, we will go to the church in Saint Nicholas. In this site, a small plantation was carefully discovered. Later, we will come to Samaria village in a small village that was ruined in 1965. It is restored by the forest authorities in the house and it is used as a hostel. After Samaria's village, we will go to Virgin Mary of Our Lady of Byzantine. Egypt. In iconostassio (1740), Holy Communion of Holy Communion from St. Zossima has been published by the Holy Madonna. Then we will reach Fortes which is the most impressive part of the canyon. The width of Fortez is defined as only 3 meters at a certain point. After the porter which is also the exit of the valley, we will arrive at St Roumeli. A small village is built in the ruins of ancient cod. Tera is mentioned as a small but strong independent city by many ancient writers. It had its own currency coin that drew a goat and arrow on the Crete Mountain on one side and a bee on the other side. Tara signed a treaty of defamation along with other important towns in northwest Crete, Eriro and Ultakina. After the request of Crete by Dorian, it is mentioned as a major religious center with a big temple centered on Apollo and Villa Mathis Diana. On the site of the temple during the Venetian ruling period, the church of the Virgin Mary was built with the material of ancient temples. Local findings testify that the city flourished mainly in Hellenistic and Roman times. St Roumeli is connected with Sfakia, Loutro, Souyia only by boat.
Between St Roumeli and Sfakia it is worth visiting the beautiful village Loutro with a small beach. Here he had a harbor of Ancolis, an ancient town Finikas, Anopolis. It was built in a circular shape toward the coast. The foundations of buildings and arched reservoirs have survived until now.
Loutro is quoted as a bishop seat at the beginning of the Byzantine era (330 - 824 Ad).
SFAKIA is the capital city of both religiously built states towards the sea of Libya. There are no signs of ancient customs. Only the 15th and 16th century Venetian castle survived, it was called Sfakia or Sfachia, after which the whole province got its name. The fortress was used as the residence of Providore (long-time administrative leader of Venice).
It was refurbished and used by the Turks. Because of barren soil, the main occupation of employers was navigation and commerce. After the destruction of the Turks, Sufacia undergoes a collapse for a certain period (1821).
ANOPOLIS is located 12 km northwest of Sfakia. The village is built on the site of an ancient Anopolis. The wall of Cyclops native to Pelacia survives with the riser of the settlement.
It was well known during the Hellenistic era, but prospered primarily in the Roman and Byzantine eras. In the first century of the rule of Venice, Anopolis was the center of resistance to Venetians. Since 1365, the rebellion of Calgary was suppressed, the entire village was destroyed, and the camp spread to other districts.
It was re-owned at the beginning of Turkish rule, and the population based on Loutro became a navigator mainly.
On the west side of the canyon of the same name Aradena, there is a devastated village of Aradena. Here is the ancient town Aradin or Iradin, the ruins survive near the village. It is believed to be founded by Phoenicians. That name is related to the Phoenician word Aruad. It means a shelter. Cities of the same name also exist in Phoenix. You can see the Byzantine church of the 14th - 15th century archangel Michael built on the eastern side of the central passage of the 5th or 6th century old cathedral. Many conflicts between Turkish conquerors and the Cret occurred during the Turkish rule.
ST. JOHN is a small village in the highland, where you can see the church of St. John and the Virgin Mary with beautiful mural paintings.
Towards the sea, we can see the mural paintings of St. Paul 's church. According to tradition St. Paul baptized the heathen while visiting Crete.
Near the east and the sea of Sfakia is the Francocastello district with the castle of Venice. It is a rectangle with rectangular shaped towers in the four corners.
Above that gate, a relief 's lion, St. Mark' s lion, to the left and right Venetian crown. Internal buildings and loopholes are built by Turks.
Under the building there is a trace of St. Mark's Church.
Near the sea fortress, the church of St. Halalandbus not only survives in the ruins, but also the very old church of St. Nikita is extinct. A great festival was held here, and the people of Sfakia danced fully armored and displayed battle. Today, habits will revive during the celebration of St. Nikita (September 15) praise.
The fortress was built around 1340 and the Venetians were named St. Nikita's castle. However, I thought that the people of Sfakia are foreigners and named it Francocastello. This is Franc's castle. It was ahead of this until today. The Venetians accepted it, but changed to castle Franco which is an unknown free and courageous fortress. During the Turkish rule, a fierce battle between the Turks and the Cretans was held. Francocastello is also related to a phenomenon which has so far been mysterious. In the morning of the early morning, wind is not blown away On February 2nd of May it is said that there is no shadow in this area, similar to armed horse heading for the fortress from the church of St. Halalandbus. This phenomenon happens early in the morning, so people call it call them. Many people interpret it as a mirage.
Returning to hernia, we will go to Askifou wild mountains of Sufacia, to the excellent valley of the village with the same name as Imbros. There is a Turkish castle in the plateau where the village is built. A few kilometers away, it passes the valley of Laghi of Katre. In this area, many blood fights against Venetians and Turks occurred to constitute the sole access to the Sfakia state village.
When we get off we will come next to the Krappis Plateau and the very beautiful green village Vrisses. Two kilometers after Vrisses, we go out to the national highway and connect Rethymnon and hernia.
