Mires Crete
Around
52km from Heraklion and 14km away from the sea, Mires lies on
the plain of Messaras. It is an agricultural and commercial town
of around 5,900 inhabitants. During the hot summer months the
atmosphere can be suffocating and the only place of coolness is
to be found in the big park outside the village.
The park has tall trees, paved paths, stone fountains and
refreshment kiosks. the settlement of Kaporiana is almost
connected with Mires. Interesting places to visit around the
region include the nunnery of Panagia Kalyriani which lies 6km
to the west. Here there are some interesting exhibits of
textiles, knitwear and needlework made by the nuns and some
offered for sale to the public.
A second monastery is close by, the Monastery of Odegitria
dedicated to the Holy Mother and built around 1568. This
monastery has a heroic history linking it with Cretan resistance
against the Turkish occupation. Nearby, in Apesokari, two vaults
of the Proto-Minoan and Mid-Minoan Period were excavated. In one
of these vaults are two altars and the other revealed some
interesting finds including seals, an axe and ceramics. South of
here a Minoan settlement was discovered..