Omalos
The Omalos Plateau ( Greek Ομαλός Χανίων ) is a plateau in the regional district of Chania . There is also the village with the name Omalos ( Greek Ομαλός means "flat", "flat"). Omalos is located on the Greek Mediterranean island of Crete .
geography
The plateau is located 38 km from Chania at an altitude of 1100 m above sea level in the Levka Ori . The almost circular plain with a diameter of 4 to 5 km, a Polje , has an area of about 15 km². Most of it belongs to the village of Anatoliko Selino . In addition, areas belong to the village of Mousouri ( Platanias ) and Sfakia borders the area to the east . There are four approaches:
- from the west on the Chania- Sougia road
- from north of Omalos
- from the east via Katsiveli and Kalergi
- from the south through the Samaria Gorge , which reaches the Libyan Sea in Agia Roumeli .
The village of Omalos itself is 4 km from the entrance to the gorge at Xyloskalo . It is of particular importance to hiking tourists. In the west an old mule path leads to Agia Irini with a connection to the Agia Irini gorge. Originally the plateau was probably a lake, but it must have drained through Tzanis' cave. This cave is to the left of the road from Omalos to Chania, about 600 m north of Omalos village. It stretches for about 2.5 km and drops by 241 m on this route. At Xyloskalo two peaks protrude, the Gingilos (1974 m) and the Volakias (2116 m), which the legend calls the throne of Zeus, who is said to have been born in Crete. Further to the west are the peaks Agathopi (1786 m) and Psilafi (1984 m), which today boast slalom ski slopes.
economy
The slightly cooler climate and fertile soil are well suited for growing vegetables and apples together with grain. Cheese ( graviera ) are used in special stone huts, the so-called "mitata" . In the warmer seasons, shepherds bring their flocks to pastures on the slopes of Levka Ori.
history
The name Omalos possibly goes back to the national song Pote tha kani Xasteria , because the Turks only managed to penetrate the plateau three times during the Ottoman period. Accordingly, Omalos has always been an important retreat for the Cretans. For example, Tzanis' cave is named after Tzanis Markos, a rebel leader who hid there at the beginning of the Turkish occupation. Tzanis Markos was nicknamed "Fovos" (fear). The Cretan rebel Chatzimichalis Giannaris (1833-1916) was born in nearby Lakki . He became famous in the uprisings of 1855–1869; he was captured but escaped from prison in Chania and went into exile in Odessa . In 1912 he was elected to the Greek parliament. He died in Chania and, at his request, was buried in Omalos, where a church is dedicated to him near Tzani's cave. During the Second World War the plane served as an airfield.
mythology
Mount Volakis has been referred to as the throne of Zeus, while the peaks Agathopi and Psilafi have been referred to as his racetrack. According to another tradition, Tzanis' cave got its name from a shepherd, whose lyre-playing attracted the local elves and who then kidnapped him. On moonless nights one should still be able to hear the sound of his lyre there.
Individual evidence
- ^ Crete Environment Forum, Leaflet Omalos Plateau
- ↑ German: Wooden stairs
- ↑ English description of the cave and its legends
- ↑ Map: Anavasi, Crete 11.13 Topo 25, "Samaria-Sougia"
- ↑ Greek: madares, μαδάρες
- ↑ CV on a historical homepage
Coordinates: 35 ° 20 ′ 0 ″ N , 23 ° 54 ′ 0 ″ E
