Katharo Plateau, Plateau in Lasithi, Greece
Katharo Plateau is situated in the Dikti Mountains at around 1,150 meters elevation, featuring a broad open terrain of fields and meadows. The landscape is enclosed by steep mountainsides that create an isolated setting where shepherds graze their flocks during summer months.
Following the end of Venetian rule, the plateau fell under the control of a Turkish Janissary commander during the Ottoman occupation of Crete. This period left lasting marks on the region's development.
Two major festivals take place each August: one honoring Jesus Christ on August 6 and another celebrating shepherds after August 15. These gatherings show how herding traditions remain central to the community's identity.
The plateau comes alive from May through November when shepherds arrive with their flocks and local taverns open for the season. Visitors should bring warm layers since evenings become cool at this elevation, and sturdy footwear helps on the mountain paths.
The entire plateau is owned by the Kritsa community with strict rules limiting construction to registered permanent residents. This governance has kept the landscape largely unaltered and prevents uncontrolled development.
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