Lefka Ori
Encyclopedia
Lefka Ori or Madares (Μαδάρες from the Cretan Greek
μαδαρός meaning "without coverage, bald, bare of any vegetation for high mountain areas") is a mountain range located in Western Crete
, in the Chania
prefecture. The White Mountains or Lefka Ori occupy a good part of the centre of West Crete and are the main feature of the region. They consist mainly of limestone, from light grey to bluish or black color. The "White Mountains" have got their name from the perpetual white or off white color of their peaks as the off white of limestone during the summer and fall interchanges with the snow that covers the peaks until late in spring.
The highest summit is Pachnes with 2453 m (8,048 ft) and there are over 30 summits that are over 2000 m (6,562 ft) high. The Lefka Ori also have about 50 gorges, the most famous being the Samaria Gorge
. Another characteristic of the mountain range is that there are a number of plateaus that exist at heights of 500–1100 m (1,640.4–3,608.9 ft), such at those of Askifou, Impros, Kallikratis, Anopolis, and Omalos which are all surrounded by mountains.
Pachnes (from Greek πάχνη which means morning dew but also in Cretan it can mean fog) is the second tallest peak in Crete, after Mount Ida (From Ίδη of Greek mythology, was the daughter of the King of Crete Melisseas), which is also known as "Psiloritis" (from the Greek Ψηλός which means high, tall and from the Greek όρος for mountain, i.e. tall mountain) and the 10th in Greece
.
There are only a few main roads leading into the White Mountains. From the north the roads to Omalos and the entrance of the Samaria Gorge
and the road to Chora Sfakion through the plateau of Askifou further to the east. There are other approaches from the west from Sougia and Paleochora leading to Omalos as well as approaches from northeast from Argyroupoli – Asi Ghonia and from Plakias-Frangokastello along the southern coast in the east. There are also a few other minor roads leading to higher altitudes.
The central and southern part of the Lefka Ori lying at an altitude of 1800 m (5,906 ft) and above resembles a "moon landscape". This is technically called a high desert. It is unique in the northern hemisphere.
There are four refuges in Lefka Ori. The Volikas Refuge was built in 1958. It is located above the village Kampi Keramion, at an altitude of 1450 metres (4,757 ft). It can accommodate up to 30 persons. The Kallergi Refuge was built in 1970. Its altitude is 1650 m (5,413 ft) and it can accommodate 45 persons. It is located 5 km (3.1 mi) from Omalos. The Tavris Refuge was built in 1992 and it is located near Ammoudari, 7.5 km (4.7 mi) from Askyfou, at 1200 metres (3,937 ft). It can accommodate up to 45 persons. The Svourichti Refuge was built in 1994. It is located seven hours from Anopolis at 1980 m (6,496 ft) and it can accommodate 20 persons.
The Lefka Ori has a rich history as a hiding place for rebels during Cretan uprisings against the Venetian and Ottoman rulers, as well as during German Occupation (1941–1945).
The Lefka Ori are home to both of Greece's cave
s with depths greater than one kilometer, Gourgouthakas and the Cave of the Lion.
Cretan Greek
Cretan Greek is a dialect of the Greek language, spoken by more than half a million people in Crete and many thousands in the diaspora....
μαδαρός meaning "without coverage, bald, bare of any vegetation for high mountain areas") is a mountain range located in Western Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
, in the Chania
Chania
Chaniá , , also transliterated Chania, Hania, and Xania, older form Chanea and Venetian Canea, Ottoman Turkish خانيه Hanya) is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania peripheral unit...
prefecture. The White Mountains or Lefka Ori occupy a good part of the centre of West Crete and are the main feature of the region. They consist mainly of limestone, from light grey to bluish or black color. The "White Mountains" have got their name from the perpetual white or off white color of their peaks as the off white of limestone during the summer and fall interchanges with the snow that covers the peaks until late in spring.
The highest summit is Pachnes with 2453 m (8,048 ft) and there are over 30 summits that are over 2000 m (6,562 ft) high. The Lefka Ori also have about 50 gorges, the most famous being the Samaria Gorge
Samaria Gorge
The Samariá Gorge is aNational Park of Greece on the island of Crete - a major tourist attraction of the island - and a World's Biosphere Reserve....
. Another characteristic of the mountain range is that there are a number of plateaus that exist at heights of 500–1100 m (1,640.4–3,608.9 ft), such at those of Askifou, Impros, Kallikratis, Anopolis, and Omalos which are all surrounded by mountains.
Pachnes (from Greek πάχνη which means morning dew but also in Cretan it can mean fog) is the second tallest peak in Crete, after Mount Ida (From Ίδη of Greek mythology, was the daughter of the King of Crete Melisseas), which is also known as "Psiloritis" (from the Greek Ψηλός which means high, tall and from the Greek όρος for mountain, i.e. tall mountain) and the 10th in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
.
Samaria Gorge
The Samariá Gorge is aNational Park of Greece on the island of Crete - a major tourist attraction of the island - and a World's Biosphere Reserve....
and the road to Chora Sfakion through the plateau of Askifou further to the east. There are other approaches from the west from Sougia and Paleochora leading to Omalos as well as approaches from northeast from Argyroupoli – Asi Ghonia and from Plakias-Frangokastello along the southern coast in the east. There are also a few other minor roads leading to higher altitudes.
The central and southern part of the Lefka Ori lying at an altitude of 1800 m (5,906 ft) and above resembles a "moon landscape". This is technically called a high desert. It is unique in the northern hemisphere.
There are four refuges in Lefka Ori. The Volikas Refuge was built in 1958. It is located above the village Kampi Keramion, at an altitude of 1450 metres (4,757 ft). It can accommodate up to 30 persons. The Kallergi Refuge was built in 1970. Its altitude is 1650 m (5,413 ft) and it can accommodate 45 persons. It is located 5 km (3.1 mi) from Omalos. The Tavris Refuge was built in 1992 and it is located near Ammoudari, 7.5 km (4.7 mi) from Askyfou, at 1200 metres (3,937 ft). It can accommodate up to 45 persons. The Svourichti Refuge was built in 1994. It is located seven hours from Anopolis at 1980 m (6,496 ft) and it can accommodate 20 persons.
The Lefka Ori has a rich history as a hiding place for rebels during Cretan uprisings against the Venetian and Ottoman rulers, as well as during German Occupation (1941–1945).
The Lefka Ori are home to both of Greece's cave
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
s with depths greater than one kilometer, Gourgouthakas and the Cave of the Lion.