Windmills of Seli Ambelou , Oropedio Lasithiou
The Windmills of Seli Ambelou are old stone structures positioned at the northern edge of the Lasithi Plateau in Crete. Of the original 26 or 27 mills, 24 still stand today in an organized line, each facing northwest to catch the wind efficiently for grinding grain.
These mills date to the Venetian period and are over 400 years old, originally coming from Zaronas. In the late 1800s they were relocated to their current site to better serve the plateau's population, and until around 1950 they ranked among Greece's largest wind-powered mills.
The windmills reveal how craftsmanship and community work shaped local life on the plateau. These structures stand as reminders of a time when wind and nature directly powered daily labor and family traditions passed down through generations.
The mills sit about 3 kilometers from the village of Tzermiado and are easily accessible, allowing visitors of different abilities to explore the area comfortably. The site remains largely unchanged with quiet pathways and plenty of space for wandering, making it best to take your time and walk at your own pace.
Unlike similar mills found on other Greek islands such as Karpathos, these structures display a more refined and formal appearance with their characteristic semicircular walls. They stand as the most elaborate examples of this architectural style in the region.
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