Kalderimi
A kalderimi (Greek καλντερίμι (n. sg. ) Majority kalderimia ) is a paved mule track in Greece. The carefully landscaped paths are at least 300, but probably over 1000 years old. In the road less developed areas, such as in Crete, is today a dense kalderimi network.
History
The time of origin is uncertain ways. The origin of the word kalderimi from Turkish (Turkish Kaldirim " walk" ) leaves many suspect the roads were built in the " Turkish period " ( 1669-1898 ), but the Turkish word in turn comes from Ancient Greek ( ancient Greek καλλί δρόμος " good run ( path ) "). This can be rather suspect that the Ottomans met such paths in the Byzantine and later the construction and maintenance systematized.
Presumably, however, they are not older than the Byzantine period ( from 395 ), as in Greek antiquity rather driveways were common and are documented cases in which such roads are cut by modern kalderimia. Fittingly, the transportation of vehicles was changed to pack animals in the Byzantine period. According to another opinion, there was in ancient times a dense network of mule tracks, on which the major portion of the transportation was settled.
Prevalence and significance of
Crete is crossed by a kalderimi network whose length is estimated to be several thousand kilometers, and all the villages, settlements, chapels, castles and alps connects. Four-way traverse even the White Mountains.
The kalderimi through the Imbros Gorge, then the only connection between Askifou and the south coast, served in 1941 the Allies after the Battle of Crete the retraction; Although they had to leave all heavy equipment, but could disembark the bulk of their troops in Sfakia.
The most famous kalderimi is the crossing of the Aradena gorge on Crete. In many other areas of Greece, well-preserved kalderimia find (see " links ").
Is a place only by mules over a kalderimi accessible, this limits the size and weight of the items from there can be transported without being dismantled by or. The heaviest non-local object which has been in examinations in Crete Sfakia ever found was 90 kg cast iron plate of an olive press.
Method of construction
The most elaborate kalderimia, especially in ravine crossings, have a width of 4 m, are carefully paved with smooth stones and secured with side walls. Addition there are paved paths lower standards. In open terrain with lower pitch the fixing can also be completely absent.
Conservation
Since the kalderimia are no longer entertained since the late 18th century, they are threatened by erosion, especially where they cross gutters. Much greater is the danger of the modern road, the ado uses their lines or buried by overburden material. Chance of EU kalderimia were restored under the LEADER project, so between Loutro and Anopoli. But generally the understanding of the preservation of this cultural heritage is far low.