Vromonero plateau
The Plateau of Vromonero or Lakkos Limas is located at an altitude of 1300m, 10km west of the village Kroussonas, in an amazing location east of the summit Skinakas of Psiloritis Mount, where the observatory of the University of Crete is located. It can be accessed via a dirt track running through the gorge of Halasia,. The road starts next to the Monastery of Saint Irene in Krousonas. During the ascent to Vromonero it is worth visiting the old church of Saint John at position Asfendamia, with incredible views of the coastline and the city of Heraklion.
After a beautiful drive through the wooded gorge of Halasia, you'll see the observatory above you and conclude to the small plateau Vromonero. According to legend, when goddess Demeter used to hunt in Psiloritis, she saw and fell in love with the hero Jason, and after their mate, she born Ploutos.
Vromonero hosts one of the finest and most pristine holly woods of Crete, which is well known to biologists and completely unknown to the inhabitants of Crete. It is full of hollies and maples, which generously offer their shade in midsummer. The landscape is completed by scattered mitata, primitive stone buildings for shepherds. Unfortunately, overgrazing threatens this fragile habitat of Psiloritis, which has been included in the project Natura. At the plateau there is space for camping, wooden benches, water taps, barbecues, etc., which make the daily excursions there more enjoyable.
In the plateau you’ll meet the chapel of Saint George built in 1978. The church was a vow of the chieftain Charalambos Yiannadakis from Kroussonas to Saint George; he was a rebel during the German Occupation and had found refuge in Vromonero with his partners, when they were surrounded by the Germans. The rebels asked Saint George to help them and they all managed to survive.
