Dionysades
The archipelago Dionysaden (Greek Dionysades Διονυσάδες (f. pl. ) In the population also Gianysades Γιανυσάδες is ) common lies north-east of the Greek island of Crete. Are administered the uninhabited islands of the municipality of Sitia in the regional district of Lasithi.
- 3.1 Conservation
Location
The archipelago is located about 17 km north of the bay of Sitia ( Όρμος Σητείας ) and 12 km west of Cape Sideros ( Ακρωτήριο Σίδερος ). It consists of two major islands and Giannisada Dragonara, the smaller rocky island Paximada and the rock Paximadaki.
The individual islands
History
According to the mythology, the islands got their name from the god Dionysus, who created the islands. Formerly belonged to the islands to the city Itanos in northeastern Crete. Traces of colonization only exist on Dragonara and Giannisada, they should also have been a haunt of pirates. Remains of early Christian grave stones are on Dragonara, there is also now the only building of the islands, the small church of Agios Andonios ( Άγιος Αντώνιος ).
Nature
Due to the exposed location wind and rain over the years have eroded the earth. The islands are almost without vegetation, with the exception of Dragonara. On Dragonara the typical representatives of Phrygana and a few from the wind- shaped bushes of Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea ) grow. Try the islands temporarily to use for grazing of sheep or goats have failed.
Conservation
The cliffs of Dionysaden provide ideal breeding sites for various bird species. Important are the breeding colonies of Cory's shearwater and Eleonorenfalkens. They are also an important stopover for migratory birds, as the nearest islands are located about 100 km in the Aegean. The Dionysaden are part of the Natura 2000 site GR 4320006 Voreioanatoliko Akro Kritis: Dionysades, Elasah kai Hersonissos siderophore ( Akra Mavrovouni - Vai - Akra Plakos ) kai thal assia zoni ( Βορειοανατολικό άκρο Κρήτης: Διονυσάδες, Ελάσα και Χερσόνησος Σίδερο - Άκρα Μαυροβούνι - Βάι - Άκρα Πλάκα και Θαλάσσια Ζώνη ) and at the same time as part of the Important Bird Area GR 192 Dionisiades Islands ( Νήσοι Διονυσιάδες ) classified.