Míres ~ Mires
Mires is a busy local market town of population 10,000 south of Iraklion by 50 kms. It has a large market every Saturday and is located at the centre of the fertile Messara valley, an area steeped in history and really at the heart of Crete. The Messara has been fought over and cherished for thousands of years, and still today boasts miles and miles of olives groves, vines, mandarins, lemons, greenhouses and just about every vegetable you could think of. This is what makes the trip here worth while, to see the abundance and select for yourself from the cornucopia on offer.
On the outskirts of town are the ruin of the ancient Minoan palace of Phaistos and the Roman ruin of Gortys. An interesting drive up into the hills will take you to Zarós with its beautiful fresh water lake filled by streams coming from Psilorítis. Other local sightseeing includes the Panagía Kaliviani church built during the second Byzantine period and painted with frescoes. The orphanage, also on the grounds, was built in 1958. It is open to visitors and there is a small interesting shop - proceeds go towards the monastery and orphanage. It is 1 km before Mires on the national road. The Odigítria Monastery in the hills of Asteroúsia is very interesting to visit, with immaculate white-washed walls, historic displays and the important Tower of Xopateras. This is the scene of one of the heroes during the Turkish occupation, an ex-priest Ioannis Markakis, who defended the tower with a small number of Cretans against thousands of Turks before finally being killed. Also nearby this monastery are Minoan ruins, tholos tombs discovered in the late 70s and dating from 2000 BC. Travellers using the bus to access Matala or other towns in the south may need to change in Míres. It has an impressive new bus station, watch out as the buses might not be announced and arrive and depart on both sides of the station because of the split in the main road through Míres.
The Drousoulitis Taverna just outside Mires on the road to Petrokefali is a traditional Cretan taverna with local atmosphere serving appetisers, fresh seafood, grilled meat, vegetarian food and fresh salads, with the hospitality offered by Stelios and Bessy, you will enjoy an authentic Cretan experience.
Listen to local Moires radio station 97.1 FM live on the internet, just click the logo above or visit www.radiomires.gr You can hear traditional Kritiki musiki.
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