One of the many islands surrounding Crete is the island of Chrissi, or Gaiduronisi. One name means "gold", the second - "donkey". This uninhabited piece of land is very popular with tourists because of the beautiful beaches with golden sand, landscapes and seascapes. The unique nature is able to captivate the heart and touch the tender strings of the soul of every tourist, filling him with dreams.
Geographic information
The name "Golden" to the island of Chrissi was given for the color of the sand on the beaches. It consists of shell rock ground by the sea and time.
Chrissi is located in the Libyan Sea to the south of the island of Crete, at a distance of 8 nautical miles from the city of Ierapetra, from where all tourists come here. The shape of the island is long (5 km) and narrow (1 km). Its relief is flat, which from afar makes it look like a thin strip of land protruding slightly from the depths of the sea.
700 meters from Chrissi there is another islet Mikronisi Its name is translated as -"small island". Almost the entire territory is covered with rocks inhabited by colonies of snow-white gulls. Some tourists and bird lovers also come there.
Ierapetra
All tourists who want to get on Chrissi come to the port of Ierapetra in Crete. It is located on the coast of the Libyan Sea, you can get to it from the nearest airport in Heraklion. This small fishing village is located on the south coast of Crete and is not very popular among tourists, so it will be of interest to those who prefer quiet rest.
Ierapetra is surrounded by very picturesque mountains and gorges, which do not allow strong winds to penetrate here, which favorably affects its climate. It is especially popular during the velvet season. Tourists who come here in September-October are waiting for the warm sea and good weather.
One of the old districts of this village - Kato Mera - consists of narrow streets and old buildings. Of the attractions here are the house of Napoleon, where he stopped on his way to Egypt, the old mosque and the small church of Agios Georgios, decorated with wooden domes unusual for Crete. The hallmark of Ierapetra is the fortress of Kules, founded by the Venetians and rebuilt by the Turks. Festivals and other events are held here.
There are many interesting and beautiful caves near the village, which makes it extremely popular. Another natural attraction is the Orino Gorge, where thousands of bright butterflies flock. There are many scenic routes in this region of the island,among which the road to the gorges of Milon and Sarakina, you can find beautiful waterfalls and streams with crystal clear water.
How to get to Chrissi Island
The best time to visit the island is from May to the end of October. Small ships or ferries depart from the pier of Ierapetra (Crete) to Chrissi. Tickets can be bought in advance or directly at the port, flights are daily.
Tickets are purchased for round-trip travel on one boat. Usually, 6 hours are enough for tourists, during which they manage to walk along the beaches, enjoy the turquoise color of the sea, visit local attractions.
Standard boat departure times: from 10.30 to 12.00 every 30 minutes, return trips end at 18.00. Travel time: 40-60 minutes, ticket price: 12 euros (children up to 13 years old) and 25 euros (adult). There is no drinking water on the island, so it is better to stock up on it in advance.
Food (salads, sandwiches, pizza, pastries, ice cream, coffee and other drinks) and drinking water, as well as beach accessories can be bought on board the boat.
Historic buildings on Chrissi
During Byzantine times, there were settlements on the island of Chrissi in Greece, the locals of which were fishermen and merchants. The remains of the old port and the Minoan settlement, wells and graves, related by scientists to the times of the Roman Empire, have been preserved on the territory.
The main occupations of the inhabitants were the extraction of s alt and the production of purple, a dye used to dye the cloaks of noblemen. Evidence of this activity isan old s alt lake from which s alt was extracted, and a lighthouse that showed the way to ships arriving at the port. Also preserved on the island is the church of Agios Nikolaos (St. Nicholas), dating from the 13th century.
In a later period, the island of Chrissi was chosen by the Mediterranean pirates, who made themselves shelter here. Thanks to their activities, in the coastal waters there are sunken pirate and merchant ships. It was because of the pirates that this island subsequently became uninhabited.
According to the records of the traveler Stasiasmus, who visited here in the 19th century, one can learn that there was a harbor for ships, sources of drinking water. But later data characterize it as an uninhabited island, planted only with bushes and cedar forest.
Reserve Island
Chrisi is considered a protected area, because 70% of its area (3.5 sq. km) is covered with cedar forest. It is famous for its rare Lebanese cedar, which is over 200 years old. The density of trees is on average 14 per 1 sq. km. km, there are also many species of Cretan flora, of which 13 grow only here.
Rare plants were threatened with extinction, as a result of which a reserve was created here, the territory of which is protected by international agreements and laws. The forest area is surrounded by a fence, beyond which tourists are prohibited from entering. It is allowed to walk here only on paved paths.
The unique ecosystem of Chrissi Island is included in the Natura-2000 European Nature Protection Program, thereforecollection of seashells and stones is prohibited here.
Scientists excavating on the north coast of the island found ancient fossils among volcanic rocks dating back to 350,000 years ago, when the island was still under water.
Lebanese Cedar
The main value of Chrissi Island is a forest area consisting of a rare variety of Lebanese cedar. This forest is one and only in Southern Europe.
Lebanese cedar is an evergreen coniferous tree, reaching a height of up to 50 m and having a trunk diameter of up to 2.5 m. Trees are slightly smaller on Chrissi - their trunk is usually no more than 1 m at a height of 5-10 m. The wood has a red color, very light and soft, trees and needles give a strong ethereal aroma. In ancient times, ships were made from cedar wood in Phenicia and Egypt.
Cedar has a highly developed root system, the radius of which exceeds the height of the tree by 2 times. It is thanks to such a large number and length of roots that trees find moisture for themselves. After all, there is no fresh water on the island itself.
Beaches and sea
The boat disembarks passengers at the island's only port. In order to get to the nearest beach, you need to follow the road passing through the cedar forest. This beach is called Chrysi Ammos (Golden Sand) for a reason, because it is strewn with thousands of small shells that form the golden and pink sand for which Chrysi is so famous.
The sea here is shallow and has an unusually beautiful turquoise color. Its depth around the island is less than 10 m, the bottom is dotted with shell rock of variousmagnitude that attracts divers and underwater sports enthusiasts.
The color of the soil on the island varies from gray-green and red-brown to black. The basis of the earth layer is volcanic hardened lava, which poured out of the crater of the volcano several million years ago.
Besides Golden, there are other beaches on Chrissi: in the western direction from Chrissi Ammos is Hatzivolakas. This is a more secluded place overlooking the rocks and surrounded by tall cedars. A little to the west are the ruins of a Minoan settlement.
Another beautiful beach of Kataposopo is located opposite the islet of Mikronisi. Both beaches are strewn with pleasant golden and pink sand, consisting of crushed shell rock of all shapes and forms.
Rules of conduct for tourists
To preserve the ecological purity of the island, the National and European institutional protection system requires all tourists to follow the following rules:
- all kinds of pollution are prohibited;
- hiking is not permitted outside the designated paths and beaches;
- it is forbidden to take rock fragments, fossils, shells and ancient artifacts;
- you can not collect plants and catch animals;
- it is forbidden to stay overnight on the island with a tent;
- don't smoke near bushes and forest plantings.
Reviews of tourists
Those who are going to visit Chrissi Island, the reviews of tourists who have been there will be of interest in the first place. Almost all vacationers celebrate their delight and positive impressions, admire clean sea water, beautiful nature, beautiful well-maintained beaches. Please note that all sun loungers, umbrellas and catamarans are paid. There is a small bar on the beach where you can buy drinks, water and food.
Chrysi Island (Crete) - the southernmost natural park in Europe and the jewel of the Mediterranean Sea. It is not for nothing that it is called a paradise on earth: forest landscapes, fresh air saturated with cedar ethereal aroma, swimming in crystal clear and transparent sea water of an unusually beautiful color - all this leaves tourists with vivid and unforgettable impressions.
