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People
Human activities
The residents of the mountainous zone are mainly occupied with stock breeding. Stock breeding remains a traditional job with ancient roots. Dairy production apart from the one that takes place at the shepherds' shelters (mitato) is being held at fully equipped industrial units. At the coastal zone, in the areas of Bali, Panormo and Almirida of Sises, fishery remains one of the occupations of the local people even today. The fertile land of the low land areas in Mylopotamos favors the cultivation of seasonal fruit trees. The semi mountainous areas are one of the most productive areas of olive oil in Crete. The boundless olive grove is interrupted by small vineyards and fields with citrus fruits. The cultivation of oranges at Sises village and citruses at the wider area of Garazo and the table grave at Aloides village are well known. Apiculture is also widespread in the area. Pure products of the land of Mylopotamos such as olive oil (Protected destination of origin), cheese (Cretan gruyere with protected destination of origin) kefalograviera (hard cheese), thyme honey, are offered. Folk arts that are preserved even today, offer handmade works of art. At Margarites, the art of pottery is blooming with tens of families producing works of art made of clay. At Anogia and Aksos, the loom prevails in every house keeping the telary art alive. Knitting with the screw begs is wide spread across Mylopotamos. In Alpha and Laga villages the traditional stone makers practice the craft of stone dressing. At Anogia there is a workshop and museum of wood carving as well as a conservatoire for traditional musical instrument teaching.
Hospitality - Events
Cretan hospitality is a living breathing part of the locals that instinctively follow the orders of Zeus. The bountiful and altruistic offer is a daily experience that is revealed with every chance to the visitor. For the resident of Mylopotamos the whole year is a celebration. The calendar is full of Saints’ celebrations with masses and processions at the churches, gatherings at the squares of the villages with the sound of lyre, lute and Cretan poetry (mandinada). Dancing plays a central part in the social life of people, especially in the villages of the mountainous zone (Livadia, Zoniana, Kalivos, Aksos, and Anogia). Special traditional events are the weddings at the squares of Anogia preserving the tradition of old customs as well as in the villages of Livadia, Zoniana, Apladiana, and Agios Mamas. Every summer, cultural events are being held in all the Municipalities of Mylopotamos. The event called "Tallaia" at the Municipality of Kouloukonas, the "Cultural gathering" at the Municipality of Geropotamos, "Cultural August" at the Municipality of Anogia and the festival called "In squares and yards" at the Municipality of Arkadi. For many years the celebration of citruses at Garazo village (15th August) has become a tradition, the hyacinth celebration at Anogia (July) is regarded as a cultural event around Greece, while at Margarites village the theatrical play "Boudalia" (end of August) consisted of young people of the wider area. During winter the chance of celebration is never missed. At the Sunday of the carnival period the Carnival takes place at Perama village and on Clean Monday the folk proceeding called "Kidnapping of the bride" at Melidoni village. At the neighborhoods of the mountainous Mylopotamos, the Holy Saturday night they burn Judas. Especially at Garazo village, this custom is combined with the grilling of the lamb.
Tours
The mild Mediterranean climate and the sunny weather all year long are privileges for enjoyable holidays. The elegant agro touristic units and the let rooms offer the visitor first class accommodation and a variety of choices all day long. At the coastal zone one can visit the clean beaches that gather a large amount of holiday-makers. The visitor can stay in Bali village with the sinuous coasts and the creeks to enjoy the sea and the night life. Very close to the area is the destination of Panormo, the Castelo di Mylopotamo, with the bourgeois manor houses, the picturesque port and its taverns. The wintery landscape at Anogia village is unique and is an attraction to many visitors across Crete. At your tour around the mountainous zone of Mylopotamos, you should definitely visit the heroic cave of Gerondospilios at Melidoni village, which was a place of sacrifice and archeological interest, as well as the Sfendoni cave at Zoniana village. In the same village, there is a museum of waxworks, with images from the Cretan history. For those who love adventure, we recommend a hike to the plateau of Nida or the observatory of Skinakas or even to the tops of Psiloritis and Kouloukonas mountains. The climbing resort at the site of Trigodio of Anogia accepts visitors after arrangement, while the shelter of Anogia is under construction. In the up country there are tens of agro touristic accommodations, coffee shops and taverns ready to satisfy the needs of those who want to experience the images of daily life of the Mylopotamos residents.
