Private Guided Tour from Chania: Zeus Cave, Kera Monastery, and Lasithi Plateau

We will go to the largest plateau of Crete – the Lasithi Plateau. It is called the valley of thousands of mills, the birthplace of Zeus.

Our path will go to the east of the island. This picturesque plateau will amaze us with its magnificence. Today it is the largest agricultural center. Local citizens are actively engaged in growing: Vegetables, Apples, and Cereal crops. The plateau attracts tourists with its picturesque landscapes and Original culture.

Windmills Of Lasithi Plateau

Windmills It is one of the most prominent highlights of Lasithi. Their shape is unusual: The base is made of stone and its construction looks like a stern of a large ship. The blades are made of white canvas and located in front of the windmill, thus creating an even greater similarity to the sea-going ship. The need to create the mills was caused by the need for the supply of water for irrigating the land on which numerous crops were grown. The mills raised to the surface the water which occurred at a depth of about 6 meters. Previously, in the territory of their plateau, there were about 40 thousand mills. To date, there are few of them, although the local citizens started to restore them.

Kera Kardiotissa Monastery

Going to the plateau, we will come over to the monastery of Kera Kardiotissa – a convent founded in the medieval period. It gained great popularity due to the miraculous icon of God’s Mother. There is a legend according to which the icon has always returned here. The invaders repeatedly tried to steal it, but it appeared in the temple again and again. The icon itself is in Italy today, and in Greece, there is only a copy of it.

Cave of Zeus

On one of the slopes of Dikti, we will visit the famous Zeus Cave. According to legend, the prophets predicted to the father of Zeus that one of his children would overthrow him from the throne. In fear, Kronos began to eat them. Once, the frightened mother of Zeus gave a stone wrapped into the baby-liners to her husband, while she had run away to this cave. When Zeus grew up, he went to war against his father and fulfilled the prediction. The cave is located at an altitude of 980 meters above sea level. It is rich in stalactites and stalagmites. Numerous archaeological findings confirm the important role of the cave at that time.

Halavro Restaurants

We can relax and enjoy the local cuisine in a cozy tavern, which is located near the cave of Zeus. Hospitable hosts will offer a variety of homemade dishes. All of them are made of natural products. In addition to traditional Greek dishes, they make excellent mountain tea. Cretan oregano gives it an incredible aroma and taste. The owners of the tavern themselves are engaged in its collection and brewing according to a special recipe.

Ceramic workshop & olive oil factory

Pitarokilis family Ceramic workshop and olive oil factory. After the cave, we will be able to visit the center of ceramics, located in the village of Psychro. The products are made of blue clay, which is mined in these regions. The peculiarity of crafts made by craftsmen is that they are made according to old traditions. We cannot only communicate with the masters but also learn the secrets of making crafts and watch the work of the potters.