Plakias
Plakias (Greek Πλακιάς ( m. sg. ) ) Is a small, but important tourist resort on the south coast of the Greek island of Crete. It belongs to the municipality Finikas of the 2010 newly created municipality of Agios Vasilios in the south of the Regional District of Rethymno. The number of permanent residents is approximately 325 ( 2011 census ). Even in the census of 1961 Plakias was mentioned as the residence of only six fishing families.
Administratively, Plakias is managed as two places in the statistics: the western part with 143 inhabitants belongs to Sellia ( Σελλιών Πλακιάς ), the eastern with 182 inhabitants Myrthios ( Μυρθιανός Πλακιάς ). The name refers to the Plakias in some parts of the bay above or to place under water sandstone " plates " ( also referred to as natural cement ).
Location
Plakias is located at the mouth of a creek below the Kotsifou Gorge, which separates the two coastal mountain ranges Krioneritis and Kouroupa each other. The creek flows through the city and divides it with its lush vegetation in an eastern and a western part. West of the stream bed is the older belonging to Sellia part of the town with the port.
A paved road access has been around since the 1960s ago by Myrthios. Meanwhile, there is also a road to the north-west Sellia. The place Sellia is a straight line approximately 1.5 miles away, the Myrthios northeast located about a kilometer. By Sellia and Myrthios performs a country road, and Sfakia Agia Galini connects.
Plakias is located about 30 kilometers from the capital of the prefecture of Rethymno from where there is a daily ferry service to Piraeus. From the main road from Rethymno on Spili to Aghia Galini two roads branch off to Plakias. The northwestern crosses Kotsyfos gorge between Agios Ioannis and Myrthios. The southeastern branches off near Koxare from the main road and accompanies the Megalopotamos - flow through the Kourtaliotiko gorge. Behind Asomatos you can then choose the streets over Lefkogia or Mariou. The transport links of Plakias is compared with other villages on the south coast of Crete be described as good.
Despite the central location on the western part of the south coast of Crete, in the center of Gialia how the south coast of the Regional District of Rethymno is called, there is no regular boat service from Plakias. The small harbor is too shallow for larger vessels. The nearest major port to the west is Sfakia, from where ships depart to Loutro, to the Samaria Gorge, Soughia, to Paleochora and Gavdos.
History
Plakias mid 20th century, was founded as a settlement next to the ruins of the Minoan town of Lamon. Here was the port of fishermen in the mountain villages Sellia and Myrthios.
Below the cliff is found at the beginning of the peninsula Sarella a flat path which ends in a walk-in tunnel, which ends in two forests, rocky inlets of the eastern cliff. There and at the tunnel entrance you will find concrete foundations in the water and on land. Until the 1930 coal was shipped here. About the path and through the tunnel led a moor train. These and the concrete investors were needed to reach deeper water, since the landing of larger vessels in the otherwise flat water of the bay was not possible.
The coal was mined in a pit between Plakias and Lefkogia in mining. The mine was operated by a German entrepreneur. It was not until the late 80s sealed with cement after was there drowned a child at play. The low yield of the pit was used as a fuel for steam ships. The German occupiers of Crete later made also the coal loading station advantage extended the tunnel and blew up a second cut in the rock, to achieve even deeper water. Here henceforth could also larger ships with ammunition, water and food are supplied.
Economy and Tourism
Once a small fishing village, the nearby traditional villages Sellia and Myrthios shared, Plakias remained for nearly two decades an insider tip and was popular destination for backpackers and individual travelers.
Meanwhile, also prevails in Plakias of package tourism. Large hotels and resorts created in Plakias and the surrounding area, including the Hapimag holiday resort in Damnoni Bay. In 2006, the earthworks for the construction of other major hotels and 341 new apartment houses on previously undeveloped portion of the Plakias Bay began.
For young travelers, the place is also by its well-located hostel known and popular, in Greece no verbeitete facility.
The main beach of Plakias is about 1.5 kilometers long and extends from the center towards the east. It consists of gravel and sand and runs flat into the water. There are showers and two small beach bars, but no public toilets. In the season of sun loungers and parasols are awarded. At the eastern end before Sarella Peninsula nudism is common.
The bay of Plakias is bounded on the east end of a vertically ascending, up to 40 meters high and about 300 meters long smooth cliff of lime Tripolitza the series, which is used by climbers and free climbers for their sport. In the wind set-up the rock wall has formed from the shifting sands of the beach amounts of the rare in Crete dune areas with indigenous vegetation. Remarkable are especially the flowering in September, " beach Lilies" Pancratium maritimum (Greek Αλίανθος, Alianthos ).
In the surroundings there are different beaches and bays (eg Prevelis, Trio Petra, Souda) and very good hiking opportunities. In Plakias There are several diving schools that offer snorkeling and diving activities in the surrounding area. Already on the Getting to Plakias you can admire the impressive Kourtaliotiko gorge or something lying further west on the road to Agios Ioannis Kotsifou Gorge.
Further sights of relevant factors are, inter alia, the nearby monastery Prevelis and the outgoing of Plakias from boat connection to its known palm beach.