Lasithi (Greek: Λασίθι) is the easternmost regional unit on the island of Crete, to the east of Heraklion and west of Its capital, Agios Nikolaos, the other major towns are Ierapetra, Sitia and Neapolis. The mountains include the Dikteon to the west and the Sitia Mountains to the east. The Sea of Crete lies to the north east Karpathio/Kritiko pelagos and the Libyan Sea to the south.
To the east of the village of Elounda lies the island of Spinalonga, formerly a Venetian fortress and a leper colony. On the foot of Mount Dikti lies the Lasithi Plateau, famous for its windmills. Vai is well-known for its datepalm forest. The most beautiful place of Crete to swim.
Thanks to stunning beaches and its mild climate year-long, Lasithi attracts many tourists. Mass tourism is served by places like Vai, Agios Nikolaos and the island of Chrissi. More off-beat tourism can be found in villages on the south coast like Myrtos, Makrys Gialos or Makrigialos, Xerokambos and Koutsouras.
Lasithi is home to a number of ancient remains. Vasiliki, Fournou Korifi, Pyrgos, Zakros and Gournia are ruins of Minoan date, Lato and Itanos were Doric towns.
History
The history of Lasithi can be traced over at least three millennia.[1] The region has considerable ancient history antecedents, including the Dorian era settlement of Olous and Lato.[2]
Prefecture
As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the regional unit Lasithi was created out of the former prefecture of Lasithi (Greek: Νομός Λασιθίου), which was created while Crete was still an autonomous state and was retained after the island joined Greece in 1913. The prefecture had the same territory as the present regional unit, except Viannos area that belonged to Lasithi but was annexed to Heraklion perfecture in 1932. At the same time, the municipalities were reorganised, according to the table below.[3]
| New municipality | Old municipalities | Seat |
|---|---|---|
| Agios Nikolaos | Agios Nikolaos | Agios Nikolaos |
| Vrachasi | ||
| Neapoli | ||
| Ierapetra | Ierapetra | Ierapetra |
| Makry Gialos | ||
| Oropedio Lasithiou | Oropedio Lasithiou | Tzermiado |
| Siteia | Siteia | Siteia |
| Itanos | ||
| Lefki |
- Quick inormation Overview of Lasithi region of Crete:
- Ierapetra City, port and information.
- Swim in Xerokampos Beach.
- Visit the Chrissi island, opposite Ierapetra city.
- Mirtos or Myrtos Village is worth to visit, swim and relax with view to the Libyan sea.
- Stay in one of Makri Gialos village hotels.
- Oros Dikti and Diktaion Andron cave.
