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Oropedio Lasithiou (Greek: ) Lasithi Plateau is a municipality in the Lasithi prefecture, Crete, Greece. Population 3152 (2001). The seat of the municipality is in Tzermiado. Oropedio Lasithiou is a large (11 km in the E-W direction and 6 km in the N-S, approx. 25 km²), scenic plain. It is approximately 70 km from Heraklion and lies at an average altitude of 840 m, which makes it one of the few permanently inhabited areas of such altitude around the Mediterranean. Winters can be very harsh and snow on the plain and surrounding mountains often persists until mid-spring.
The symbol of the plateau, an irrigation windmill. Ruins of abandoned windmills once used to grind cereals in Ampelos saddle. History The fertile soil of the plateau, due to alluvial run-off from melting snow, has attracted inhabitants since Neolithic times (6000 BC). Minoans and Dorians followed and the plateau has been continuously inhabited since then, except a period that started in 1293 and lasted for over two centuries during the Venetian occupation of Crete. During that time and due to frequent rebellions and strong resistance, villages were demolished, cultivation prohibited, and natives were forced to leave and forbidden to return under a penalty of death. Later, in the early 15th century, Venetian rulers allowed refugees from the Greek mainland (eastern Peloponnese) to settle in the plain and cultivate the land again. To ensure good crops, Venetians ordered the construction of a large system of drain ditches (linies, Greek: λίνιες) that are still in use. The ditches transfer the water to Honos (Greek: Χώνος), a sinkhole in the West edge of the plateau. Lasithi plateau is famous for its white-sailed windmills that have been used for decades to irrigate the land. Despite their vast number (some 10,000) in the past, most of them have been abandoned nowadays in favour of modern diesel and electrical pumps. Archaeological sites There are several caves of archaeological interest in the surrounding countryside, of which Diktaion Andron (Greek: Δικταίον Άντρον, also Diktaean / Diktaian Cave) near the village of Psychro (Greek: Ψυχρό) is the birthplace of Zeus according to Greek Mythology. Zeus is also said to have used Diktaion Andron as his hiding place after abducting Europa. Today Oropedio Lasithiou is a municipality with the seat being the town of Tzermiado, containing a population of 3,152 (2001 census). Permanent residents derive most of their income from agriculture and animal farming. A small fraction of the population is also occupied in tourism.
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