In the centre of the area of Gialia, and near to the ruins of the Minoan town of Lamon, few fishermen built a small settlement, Plakias.

The flanks of the mountains offer breathtaking views of the sea and the highlands, the villages such as RODAKINO, SELLIA, MYRTHIOS, MARIOU, ASOMATOS, LEFKOGIA, YIANNIOU, DRYMISKOS, KERAMES, AGALIANOS, AGIA PARASKEVI and SAKTOURIA, provide excursion points from the wellknown tourist centre of Plakias. In our area of Gialia there are certain places of special interest and beauty:

Preveli Gorge . Here the river Megapotamos flows between the high banks of the gorge and through the palm-forest to the beautiful Limni beach.

Kourtaliotis Gorge . Take a stroll down the stairway to the church and cataract springs of St. Nicholas. These springs never fail to provide water all year round to the Megapotamos.

Kotsifas Gorge . Wild and imposing and also the entrance to the area from ancient times. The renowned beaches of the area, some deserted and others literally carpeted with bodies, lie like a string of gems set in the rocky embrace of the southern mountains. AGIOS PAVLOS, TRIOPETRA, PINGRES, AGIA FOTIA, KERAMIANO AMOUDI, LIMNI PREVELI BEACH, SKINARIA, AMOUDI, DAMNONI, PLAKIAS, SKINOS, SOUDA, KORAKA and FRANGOKASTELLO.

The islands of Gavdos and Gavdopoula with their special nature, break up the continuity of the boundless blue sea. In ancient time, the islands of Gavdos and Gavdopoula, then known as Ogygia, was the realm of women ruled over by the goddess-queen Kalypso whose beauty held the mythical hero Odysseus enthralled for seven years before he set out on the last stage of his journey home. A journey round the Yialia area will reward the discerning visitor with a unipue collection of ecclesiastical monuments; a testament th the golden age of monasticism.

HISTORIC MONASTERIES AND CHURCHES

Rear Monastery of Preveli. The buildings are mainly from the 18 th century and present a harmonic architectural whole. There are rare frescoes and icons and a small museum with exhibits of great interest. Lower Preveli Monastery. Among the ruins popular Cretan architectural styles dominate. This is a really unforgettable journey into the past.

The church of the Panayia (Our Lady) in the village of Lambini with a wonderful dome and decorations.
The church of Christ the Saviour in Myrthios with Byzantine frescoes.
The church of Agia Fotini in Sellia with Byzantine frescoes.
The church of Panayia in the deserted village of Diplohori with Byzantine frescoes from AD 925.
The church of Agios Yiorgios in the derelict village of Molothre with 101 doors and Byzantine frescoes.
The church of Agios Pavlos on the coast where St. Paul is said to have disembarked.
The church of Agios Asomatos and Agios Yannis near Asomatos with frescoes.