If you are an outdoorsy person and you love tradition, visit Kato Asites, built at the foot of Mount Psiloritis. Browse the picturesque alleys of the village, see the heroes’ memorials that have been erected and meet people who still practice the profession of livestock bell maker or basket weaver. Explore the rich natural and morphological environment, walk to the mountain refuge “Prinos” and visit one of the caves in the area. The village is also famous for its rich livestock production, so be sure to taste “apaki ”, sausage or the traditional “pichti”/ “tsiladia” made from meat preserved in jelly with lots of spices. The Cultural Association organizes annual traditional festivals, in honor of St. George (April 23 & November 3), on the feast of Klidonas (June 24) and cultural events (July 19 to 26) culminating in the great Cretan feast on the day of St. Paraskevi (July 26). So, if you are in the area on one of these dates, do not hesitate to have fun with the locals, creating unforgettable memories!
Monuments
- Roman baths of Sinaitas near the settlement of Kato Asites. Found in the “Sinaitas” area, where the ancient city of Rizinia was located.
- Gorgolaini Monastery Museum. A visitable Historical-Folklore Museum is located within the premises of the Monastery of St. George Gorgolainis.
Scenic Routes
- Lestas Cave at Marias Aloni
- Melissa Cave above the Monastery of St. George Gorgolainis.
Monasteries – Temples
- Monastery of St. George Gorgolainis The church, which is dedicated to St. George, was built in the 16th century. The Historical-Folklore Museum is hosted in the same place.
- Church of St. Paraskevi in the center of the village. It is a single-aisled small basilica , which was built in 1745 and has been restored.
Gastronomy
Τhe area of Asites consists of olive groves and vineyards, so it is no coincidence that among the products produced in the area olive oil, raisins and wine have a significant role. Visit the Diamantakis winery located nearby, to explore the Cretan vineyards and taste wine. At the same time, the flora of the area is of great interest, such as brushwood, shrubs, cottonwood, cypresses, oaks, etc., ensuring the quality of the products produced, such as pure meats, smoked sausage or “apaki ”, “mizithra ”, “cheese”, etc.
Women’s Cooperative
Visit the active Women’s Cooperative “Asitiana Edesmata” founded by seven women of the village, with the aim of maintaining the tradition and recipes taught to them by their mothers and grandmothers. Try and get various spoon sweets and fine bakery wares, such as “kalitsounia ”, “sarikopites ”, barley rusk, bread with sourdough and dunking biscuits of various flavors made from local ingredients and pure virgin olive oil that will be unforgettable!
Household – Traditional Occupations
In Asites you will also find many of the professions of the past that tend to disappear in modern times, such as carpenters, jewelers, tinners , makers of traditional musical instruments, barbers, weavers, soap makers, shoemakers and religious iconographers. You will have the opportunity to see up close the traditional way of practicing them, discuss with the professionals and purchase the fruits of their labour.
