what is also called the Garden of Eden?
The fertile flatland of Messara
‘Beneath me, stretched as a never ending magical carpet, lies the flatland of Messara‘.
From this height this all looks like ‘the garden of Eden’. The famous English writer Henry Miller once wrote these words about the flatland, looking from the hill where the excavations of the palace of Festos took place. The flatland of Messara is 40 kilometres long and 12 kilometres wide. It is a fertile flatland that is protected by mountain ranges on three sides; on the North side by the Ida highlands, on the East side by the Dikti highlands and on the South side by the Asterousia highlands. On the West side the plateau runs between Timbaki and Matala and ends in the sea.
Messara plain – the region of Gortyna, Phaistos and Agia Triada
The Geropótamos river runs through the flatland. Cultivation mainly consists of olives, tomatoes and corn. The flatland is also called ‘the corn shed’ of Crete.
The flatland has a few archaeological places of interest. The Minoans built the palace in Festos and a summer residence in Agia Triada, which lies more in the direction of the coast. In 67 BC the Romans made the city of Gortyna the capital city of Crete. This city had about 30.000 inhabitants which says something about the importance of this region.
Also prominent is that the different villages and the city of Mires are connected with each other by straight roads and that you can find a large number of gas stations, due to the fact that there are many tractors and pick ups that need petrol.
Museum of Messara
Just a few kilometers from the entrance to Gortys lies the Museum of Messara. It offers insight into the rich cultural and historical heritage of southern Crete. The museum showcases artifacts from the Minoan, Roman, and Byzantine periods, including pottery, tools, and jewelry. It also highlights the region’s agricultural history with displays of traditional tools and techniques.
You can visit this museum when driving Route 48, nicknamed ‘Matala’. One of the first stops on this route is this museum.
Other Routaki routes:
this item is mentioned in….
Fragment out of Route 48 – ‘The Wonders of Gortyna, Phaistos, and Matala: A Drive through Cretan Beauty‘ where the following is being played…..
“Turn right on this crossroad.
[2 seconds pause]
In the Messara plain, numerous plastic greenhouses cultivate a variety of vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, and other crops. A local greengrocer once highlighted Crete’s unique variety of produce. If the heat becomes too intense on the Messara Plain, farmers can rely on the higher Lassithi plateau for cultivation. Additionally, the region surrounding Malia yields abundant vegetables and potatoes, often supplemented with products from the Kissamos region in the west of the island.
These greenhouses also serve for growing carnations, which are utilized to honor performers during their acts. Spectators show their appreciation by purchasing plates filled with carnations, often presented by a graceful young lady directly to or near the artist.
In Greek culture, carnations symbolize joy and celebration, a tradition stemming from the 1970s when Athenian students protested against the military dictatorship by placing carnations in soldiers’ gun barrels as a peaceful gesture. Since then, the flower has become emblematic of resistance and solidarity in Greece.
The widespread use of carnations gained prominence in 1969 when the government banned the breaking of plates in nightclubs and taverns due to safety concerns from flying pottery shards.
Continue along the way.”
What my interest you:
City walk Heraklion – GPS audio tour.
You can experience this vibrant city with the interactive GPS app VoiceMap. Install the app for free and select ‘Heraklion’.
In the webshop on this site, you can purchase a code that provides access to all the information you need to enjoy a fantastic day in Iraklio.
Would you like to get an impression first? Then start by reading this page about Heraklion.
Or you read one of the following articles:
Phiti Vases either made in Margarites or in Trapsano – always of perfect quality
Of course you can read all about Knossos, before you drive the route to it.
While driving the ‘Spinalonga’ route you can visit the Milatos Cave