Makrys Gialos

Makry Gialos (Μακρύ Γιαλός) is a municipality in the Lasithi prefecture, Crete, Greece. Population 4,204 (2001). The seat of the municipality is in Koutsouras.Was established in 1998 when the communities of Schinokapsala, Oreino, Stavrochori, Chrisopigi, Agios Stefanos, Pefki, Lithines and Pervolakia amalgamated into one district, (Δήμος). You also can find in books and maps different spellings of the name like; Makrigialos, Markygialos, Makri Gialos, Makry-Gialos, Makri-Gialos, Makriyalos, Makris Gialos.

Geography

Makry Gialos region lies on the southeast coast of Crete island, Greece.The area faces the Libyan Sea ( part of Mediterranean Sea, which separates Crete from North Africa). The backdrop of the area is mountainous and made up primarily of granite. From the mountains there are small valleys and gorges leading down to the coast. On the higher slopes there is an abundance of Walnut, Apple, Pear and Olive trees. On the lower slopes the main industry is farming and olive trees.

Down below along the main coastal road, farming can also be found along with the greenhouses, in which most of the produce grown is tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, aubergines and bananas, which grow all year round. The sun and the rich soil give more taste to the fruit and vegetables, and the region has won the Gold Medal for the extra virgin olive oil (SITIA 0.03). The morphology of the land presents beautiful landscapes, varying from place to place. Places with pine forest and wild oak trees, with granite nuggets and sharp rocks. Places with smooth hillsides with low bush land or orchards, and olive groves. The coastline that runs from Galini to Kalo Nero, is etched with rocky inlets, small coves and long sweeping stretches of sand and pebble beaches. The Bay of Makry Gialos boasts the longest shallow sandy beach of East Crete. Other beaches are Diaskari, Langada, Amoudi, Mavros Kolimbos, Galini, Koutsouras; some of them are commercial beaches and some are deserted. Between the mountains you find dried up riverbeds, which are flowing down to the sea during the winter months.

Demographics

The population of the area is approx. 4.200 people. Before the introduction of tourism and greenhouses, the life revolved mainly up in the villages, which you find nestled in the mountains. A lot of them are not visible from the sea, for this reason they were safe from pirates. Back in the early days the main work for the villagers was farming or tending their flocks on the higher peaks. Today, life revolves around the coast. People have come down from the villages to the coast to live, as there is more work in the towns and resorts. The older generations still live up in the villages along with their history and old stories. Also foreigners who have bought old houses, using them as holiday homes are settling in the old charming villages.

The main industry today around Makrigialos is tourism, greenhouses and the harvesting of the olive trees. The Cretan dialect spoken in this region is near to ancient Greek.

The modern villages are built along the coastal road between Ierapetra and Sitia. On the boundary of the area are Achlia, Mavros Kolimbos, Koutsouras, Makry Gialos village, Analispi, Lagada and Kalo Nero with many apartments, studios and hotels.

In the region there are three beautiful gorges for hiking. The Butterfly gorge in Koutsouras, Pefki gorge above the White River hamlet, and Pervolakia gorge which starts from the monastery Kapsa, which is one of the most impressive gorges of this area.

The highest peak is Afendis Stavromenos 1500 metres (4.500 feet).The only possible way to reach the top is to walk or in a jeep 4 X 4.You can enjoy unforgettable and stunning views of Eastern Crete, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Ierapetra and the surrounding islands of Chrissi and Koufonisi, depending on the visibility. On this peak is the small windswept chapel of Jesus Cross. During the winter months the peak is covered with snow.

Other places worth exploring are Schinokapsala, Oreino, Stavrochori, Bebonas,Chrisopigi, Lapithos, Agios Stephanos, Pefki, Lithines, Upper and Lower Pervolakia. They spread a unique charm with their stone built houses and narrow paved streets, along with ancient stonewashed houses. There are many small churches scattered around the hillside on the top of peaks, built in caves, by the side of springs and in the most charming settings. These churches represent the strong Orthodox religion.

Along the coast about 6 km from Makry Gialos, is the Monastery Kapsa, built on a sheer rock face, close to the spectacular Perivolakia Gorge which is believed to have been founded in the 15th century. In 1471 it was destroyed by pirates and abandoned. In 1841 it was renovated by Yerontoyannis a reformed robber who lived there as a hermit. He built the church and dedicated it to John the Baptist. Inside the chapel Yerontoyannis’ skull can be found. The monastery celebrates its feast day on the 29th August.

Around the area there are many archaeological sites, which are not of great importance to the Archaeological Society, though some of the artifacts which have been excavated can be found in the Archaeological Museum in Agios Nikolaos.

The area often experiences strong winds, like most of the Greek Islands.These winds are called "Meltemi". They are strong northern winds, blowing mostly in January and February and in July and August. During the summer these winds help to keep the temperatures down and during the winter months they give clear and sunny days.The area has a long summer, six to seven months, but not too hot. The winter is short and mild. Rainy days are few and a long time passes between them. The temperatures almost never go as low as six degrees.