Samariá Gorge

The Samaria Gorge (Greek Φαράγγι της Σαμαριάς ) in the southwest of the Greek island of Crete is 17 kilometers in length one of the longest gorges in Europe. It performs over 1200 m altitude from almost the center of the island to the Libyan Sea. At length the Samaria Gorge is surpassed by the Verdon Gorge in France with over 20 kilometers in length and the Tara Canyon in Montenegro with 78 kilometers.

The Samaria Gorge is one of the tourist highlights of Crete; up to 4000 people a day they wander through during the summer high season. The gorge is lined with up to 600 m high vertical cliffs, the grant at the narrowest point of the gorge, at the so-called " iron gate ", a passage of only three to four meters.

Spatial location

The gorge is located on the south coast of western Crete and extends from the Omalos Plateau west of the White Mountains ( White Mountains ) down to the Libyan Sea. At the end of the gorge lies the small harbor town of Agia Roumeli. Politically, the area belongs to the municipality of Sfakia in the regional prefecture of Chania.

Geology

Originated the gorge is probably about two million years ago by tectonic movements. Runoff from rain water and later the water from 22 sources eroded the rock and thus undermined the current deep gorge in the landscape.

History

During the liberation struggle of the Greeks against Ottoman rule in the 19th century the gorge was of great strategic importance: It served as a rebel hideout and base and could never be taken despite repeated attempts.

During the Second World War and the occupation of the island of Crete by the German Wehrmacht in late May 1941, the Greek government fled consisting of King George II and the Prime Minister Emmanouil Tsouderos, through the gorge to the south coast and from there by British aid to Egypt. Even the German occupiers did not succeed, the partisans and refugees who had retreated into the gorge to track, even if there were individual confrontations; too inaccessible and impassable is the rugged gorge.

The Samaria Gorge was declared in 1962 by royal decree to the National Park and is uninhabited since 1965. The few inhabitants of the eponymous village of Samaria, a small logging town in the middle of the gorge, were dispossessed and resettled. The village's name is derived from the Greek word Samari ( σαμάρι, "saddle (on the frame ) for pack animals " ), suggesting that earlier the animals usually changing seats in the village, were therefore replaced. In 1980 Greece was awarded for his efforts in the canyon from the Euro Europe.

The traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church accordingly exist along the Samaria Gorge about ten chapels in different condition.

Flora and Fauna

The Samaria Gorge has a strikingly high trees, including here grow magnificent pine trees, pines, plane trees and cypresses. There are Cretan maple and hollies on the slopes of the ravine. Because of the long isolation of the canyon alone 14 endemic plant species occur. The Samaria Gorge is the last natural refuge of the Cretan wild goat ( Kri-Kri ). Nearby broods a bearded vulture pair; and more you see vultures circling above the gorge.

Tourist importance

Due to its overwhelming natural beauty, the Samaria Gorge is a special attraction for hikers from all over the world. During the 13 km long path through the Samaria National Park - the actual gorge - there is no meal option. Water can be drunk from any number of sources and from the mountain. Also, the port of Agia Roumeli is powered directly from the creek with potable water. Only at the southern training or access to the National Park at the abandoned old village of Agia Roumeli, a few kilometers from the shores of the Libyan Sea, there are a few kiosks.

For tourists, the demanding total distance of 17 km to anyone with a difference in altitude of over 1200 m, it is also possible to arrive by boat to Agia Roumeli (there is no road access ) and remote from here to the 4 km " iron gate " to wander.

In large areas of the canyon, there is no Reception possibilities for mobile phones. Only in the abandoned village of Samaria - approximately half of the route - there is a phone line and a heliport.

The Samaria Gorge is generally allowed to be entered until October 31, during the period 6:00 to 15:00 clock only from 1 May. The walk through the gorge is chargeable. Leaving the gorge is documented to ensure that no one is left behind.