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Prefecture: Heraclion
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Anapodaris
The gorge of Anapodaris is an important habitat, located in an open valley with rocky parts, while ponds at the riverbed remain during summer. As a habitat it includes a large variety of rabbits, ferrets and birds: the buzzard, the Balkan goldfinch, the wood pigeon, the raven, the kestrel, the vulture, the Red-Backed Shrike, the Red-Backed Shrike of Kompylin, the Black Eared Wheatear, the African stonechat, the subalpine warbler, the Sardinian warbler and the Cretan Sardinian warbler. It also includes amphibians and reptiles: the Balkan green lizard, the Balkan pond turtle and the marsh frog of western Greece.
The river Anapodaris is located at the center and south of Heraklion and empties near the settlements of Tsoutsouras and Keratokambos, into the Libyan Sea. This river collects the water from the east central part of the Prefecture of Heraklion and much of the water of the southern Mount Diktis. It is also supplied by various tributaries like Baritis. It is the longest river in Crete, flowing around the hill of the archaeological area of Kastellos, while about 40 million cubic meters of the water of this river flow into the south sea every year.
Places near Anapodaris
Situated at a distance of some 90 kilometres far from Heraklion at the South - Southeast and some 4 kilometres far from Tsoutsouros at the East, Dermatos is a beach at the mouth of the torrent Anapodiaris, affected by the winds. The beach is a few hundred meters long, with pebbles and sand and with many tamarisk trees. At one side of the beach next to a hill there are beautiful rocks in the sea. Not organised at all , it does not offer any accommodation or food and drink facilities; but the sea is crystal clear, and the beach is full of tamarisk trees offering their shade to the swimmers. A magnificent choice for al those who want to avoid big and noisy crowds and prefer a more natural environment and calmness.
Located 65 km from Iraklion and 12km from Keratokambos (Eastern) on the south coast of Crete is the small village of Tsoutsouros built next to the ruins of the ancient city of Inatos. Mainly a fishing/ farming community of about 100 permanent residents, is becoming a popular base of operations for visitors who prefer a less intense style of vacations, than that offered by big towns and popular resorts.
Tsoutsouros is the haven in the municipality of Arkalohori to the south of Heraklion. An unexpectedly picturesque and exquisite place with sparklingly clean sea, enriched with salt and ozone. The climate is wonderful as it has not a spell of moisture and that dryness contributes to the cure of breathing problems.
The houses are built along the coastal street, just by the long sandy beach. While most houses are new there are still some of them preserving the old traditional character, especially at the center of the village.
Regarding the inhabitants, they are really friendly, kind-hearted, polite and willing to offer hospitality to any guest that decides to visit their village.
There are many small cafes and tavernas all with wonderful patios where in the cool shade of the trees the visitors can enjoy the famous fresh fish of Tsoutsouros.
There are quite few rooms and apartments available in a couple of small, family owned, hotels in Tsoutsouros. Most of them are newly built with bathroom and kitchen facilities and since some of them belong to permanent residents they operate all year around.
Beach facilities like sunchairs and umbrellas or sea sports are not yet provided but you will find showers to wash out the salt.
A harbour - rather a fishing boats refuge - is now under construction and will be ready in a one or two years. Facilities to yachts will be then provided, such as mooring, refueling, water etc.
Mini markets and grocer stores are also available around the year.
The coastal village of Tsoutsouras can accommodate a large number of visitors who wish to enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete and to explore others nearby. The beach itself is about 60 km from Heraklion and it is located on the south of the Prefecture of Heraklion. The long, sandy beach with clean water has an organized part, offering facilities, such as umbrellas and sunbeds, but at a very close distance lies the quieter beach of “Listis”, for those who desire nothing more than sand and sea. You can also go to “Maridaki”, the only access for which is via a rutty road of about half an hour.
During summer in Tsoutsouras, young and old people have the opportunity to attend or take part in tournaments of beach soccer and beach volley, organized in recent years, while beach parties are often organized, so all the people on holiday there can have a lot of fun. However, apart from the beach, whoever finds himself in Tsoutsouras has the opportunity to make excursions to nature by hiking or climbing, as the mountain also has its own special interest. Furthermore, the settlement of Tsoutsouras is built on the ruins of the ancient city of Inatos and the surrounding area is of archaeological interest.
Weather/Climate
The climate in Tsoutsouros is temperate. The predominantly northern winds, that blow in the summer time, are getting sometimes really strong without however to affect the sea condition. The best period to visit the place is spring and autumn when the nature is gorgeous, and the temperature is to a more comfortable range.
Very close to the gorge of Tsoutsouras, on its west side lies the gorge of Troullas. It is smaller than that of Tsoutsouras but very impressive too. Anyone who likes waterfalls can count 16 waterfalls in this small gorge, the highest of which is 15 meters. Its geomorphology resembles the Tsoutsouras gorge, as they are very close. Its crossing is quite demanding and only with the appropriate technical equipment of rappelling, while in winter it is certainly more difficult. The entrance is at the area “Meli Lakkos” and its exit at the area “Staoussa”.
The name of the village, according to the native schoolteacher and history lover Mr Mihalis Stylianakis, emanates from the initiative of the surrounded communities to build a kefalohori (big and powerful village) and thus was created Demati, ( from the word deno and dema, meaning tight up held togrther) from the union of smaller settlements that once surrounded that area. Another interpretation that he has provided us with is that the name Demati is a compound word made out of Des and Mati; Demati, (look and eye) as the splendid view invites us to admire its beauty with our eyes.
Text: www.arkalochori.gr
Tsoutsouros is the heaven in the municipality of Arkalohori to the south of Heraklion prefecture. An unexpectedly picturesque and exquisite place with sparklingly clean sea and a number of nice sandy beaches. The vilage is located 65 km from Iraklion and 12km west from Keratokambos on the south coast of Crete.
Tsoutsouros beach is very popular to the people of Crete, specialy to the people of east Messara plain and Heraklion City, therefore it may be crowded during the weekends. In front of the village there is the small harbor of Tsoutsouras. East and west of the port, there are two large sheltered bays with a total length of 2km, which have lovely coarse sand and crystal clear water.
The beach is slightly organized with umbrellas and several tamarisk trees around. It is ideal for family holidays, because all necessary facilities for accommodation, entertainment and food are in close proximity. You can also use Tsoutsouras as a base for exploring the other surrounding beaches and sights.
Gorge of Tsoutsouras
The spectacular and steep gorge of Tsoutsouros has its start at the area “Sfakias” and its exit near the settlement Tsoutsouras. The gorge is just 1.5 km but it meets the requirements for canyoning, for those who like this sport and are quite beginners. It is also a challenge even for experienced climbers, as the only way to cross it is by ropes, while there are 12 descents (30 meters). Most of the descents are near the exit of the gorge, where its deepest point is and where the most impressive rock formations are found. For visitors wishing to see the waterfalls in the gorge, spring is the ideal time.
According to myths (or reality?), the eternal sarcophagus of Minos, the great king of Crete is hidden in its interior. What is true, though, is that king Minos himself had picked the south glaces of the Asterousian mountains to organise and develop the farming of his kingdom in an exemplary manner.
The Libyan sea, which Pourgonero and Tsoutsouros is "looking at", is considered to be an wind-swept open sea in the greater area of the eastern Mediterranean sea. Although this can be easily obervable in the region of Ierapetra and other regions of the south part of the prefectures of Rethymnon and Chania, the region of Tsoutsouros, geographically known as the cove of Tsoutsouros is very well know to be leeward and very rarely affected by the winds. During the summer, the cove remains peaceful, whereas the whole north coast of Heraklion is swept by extremely strong winds.
The same peacefulness applies almost throughout the year, with the exception of a small number of days when there are south winds. Even during those days, looking at the coast of Tsoutsouros area is very enjoyable. The light summer breeze is extremely pleasant and contributes to the sense of euphoria of the visitors who can ever more greatly enjoy the sea sand hills in Pourgonero.
Kastri is located 72 kilometers south of Heraklion and is a small settlement just outside the village of Keratokambos. A destination for those seeking tranquility and relaxation.
Here there is a small harbor serving the whole area. Right next to the harbor there is a small sandy beach with many small trees that offer their shade to the swimmers as the beach isn't organized. In recent years, Kastri has been well developed and offers accommodation and taverns offering amenities to visitors who will choose it for their holidays.
Listis beach is deserted and idyllic and offers parts of sand, parts of fine pebbles and rocky ends. The rocky sea bottom makes the place excellent for snorkelling.
This is not well known to tourists, but could certainly be voted as the most beautiful beach of Heraklion. The beach is stunning, with crystal and, usually, calm water, small pebbles and remote places to stay.
You can drive here from Heraklion, through Viannos. Get the road to Keratokampos and head west, in the crossroad 500m before entering the village. The beach is situated 1.5km west of Keratokampos. You can also walk from Keratokampos along the coastline around 1.5km westbound.
Note, that if you come by car and you leave it at the road, you should trek down a cliff to the beach, that is not the easiest way. So, you have to choose between cliff and walking 1.5km from Keratokampos.
Byzantine Monastery of St. Paraskevi in Demati
The monastic complex is located south of the village Demati, at the foot of the mountain, at a distance of 30 km from Kastelli. Dating back from the second period of Byzantine times (12th – 13th centuries) it consists of the single – aisled church of Agia Paraskevi, the church of Archangel Michael and that of Agios Markos. In the first two temples icon paintings have been saved, as the Ephorate of Antiquities has intervened. The temple of Archangel Michael was bombed during the period of the Second World War and it has paintings only on the northern part of its walls, whereas the church of Agia Paraskevi is fully covered with icon paintings. The church of Agios Markos is in a poor condition. It needs restoration and there are no murals visible in it.
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