Stroumboulas Plateau
The small plateau of Strouboulas is located south of the elongated Stroumboulas range, which resembles a volcanic cone when seen from Heraklion. The elongated plateau is formed on the rocks of the Tripoli geological type and it lacks tree vegetation due to overgrazing except for some kermes oaks (Quercus coccifera).
In the wider area of the plateau there are many caverns and sinkholes, as well as smaller side plateaus. At one side, you will meet the chapel of Saint George and at its lowest place, a small pond is formed in the winter. This small unknown wetland is highly dependant on the rainfalls. The water is reddish due to the grounds that remind of African landscapes.
Starting from Strouboulas plateau one can climb until the summit of Strouboulas and the chapel of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) to have a marvelous panorama of the Heraklion gulf and the Range of Psiloritis. Lastly, you can pay a visit to the Cave of Palmetis, where the Cretan rebel Palmetis during the Turkish Era dropped the corpses of the Turks he killed.
