Читать книгу The High Mountains of Crete. The White Mountains, Psiloritis and Lassithi Mountains онлайн

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The Dikti or Lassithi Mountains (Part 3) cover about 780km2 and virtually divide central Crete from the eastern end of the island. The dominant feature here is the Lassithi Plain (formerly famous for its hundreds of windmill water pumps), which is surrounded by a series of peaks including Mount Dikti, at 2148m (7047ft) the highest summit of eastern Crete.

Although the European long-distance walking route the E4 Trail crosses Lassithi as an interesting and, in some places, challenging linear route – and is readily accessible by public bus – a few day-walks from the plain (which is very large) are best reached by car. Lassithi has several important Neolithic and Bronze Age sites that attract visitors; villages on the plain offer facilities during the tourist season.

Plants, trees and flowers

Privation due to less high-yield agricultural methods, especially after World War II, is remembered throughout Greece, and ‘food for free’ is still popular with many people in Crete. In the countryside various edible wild greens are gathered in the spring. Snails are also collected in spring (and during Lent), especially after rain.