In the centre of the area of Gialia, and near to the

ruins of theMinoan town of Lamon, few fishermen

built a small settlement,Plakias. At that time the rest

of the local population of farmer -herdsmen had

established their villages on the slopes of the

mountains as security from pirate raids. However

, the natural riches of the sea (fish, salt, etc.)

attracted others to the coastand in time a triving

fishing community developed.

For 320 days each year the sun warms the atmosphere and Nother Earth with her plentiful supplies of water is both rich and fruitful. Here nothing is difficult.Thus the

people courteous and serene, peacefully philosphise about life. Many visitors discover this different place and way of life and return many times with some even

staying permanetly. So the fishing - village lives today alongside a tourist resort which local artisans have fashioned in accordance with the character of the people

and the climaticconditons of the area.Plakias can therefore offer the visitor all the amenities of a modern holiday resort coupled with the traditions and friendliness o

f the local people; vestiges of anotherage.

The area of Gialia has a praticular climate, warm and temperate Mediterranean climate. In the winter,

the soft winds from Africa warm the atmosphere. In summer, the north winds from the mountains dring

to the area an invigorating coolness. The clarity and brilliance of the atmosphere is so intense that it can

even effect you emotionally. The surrounding mountains peaks, during certain weather conditions, and

chiefly when strong winds bring the raincloudsfrom the north, act as battlements and seem to impale

the clouds on the summits. The accompanying rain sheets downthe gorges driven by the wind but the

rest of the sky, as far as the eye can see out to sea is a brilliant blue. It is aamazing weather

phenomenon with double and even triple rainbows not uncommon. It is conditions such as this which

even the winter help keep out the sunshine quota to 92%. The general area is a rare biosystem with

abundant water andtropical vegetation. Thousands of species of wild flowers, aromatic plants and

herds together with lots of endemic or migratory birds bring to completion this heavenly synthesis

which man has left virtually untouched for almost 7.000 years.