Gorge of Theriso Meskla. The Gorge of Therisso (named also Eleftherios Venizelos) is located near the city of Chania. You can go there by car. The main gorge is 6 kilometers long. The vertical cliffs are impressive and the lush vegetation has nothing to envy of the other Chania Gorges. The place deserves a visit, even with a vehicle, combined with a visit in the historical beautiful village of Therisso, that is built at the foot of the White Mountains at an altitude of 580 meters, just 15 kilometers from the city of Chania. A visit here is something that will remain unforgettable to every visitor.
After Therissos the road winds curvy up to a height of 720 m, then slightly downhill towards Zourva .Even in this nondescript mountain village with its 10 houses, a holiday resort has now settled land its visitors take advantage of its ideal location for hiking in the surrounding area. Also, this village is often visited by the locals especially in winter for lunch, although it is often only accessible with snow chains.
The road leads us down to Meskla, a very picturesque situated village with a rich history and tradition surrounded by high mountains. Coming from Zourva, right at the village entrance you’ll meet the huge church of Panagia and besides that, the Byzantine church of Sotiros Christou with wall paintings from the 14th century.
If you stop in the parking lot at the churches, you can hear the lapping of the subjacent source waters of the river Keritis which flows into the sea at the coastal village of Platanias. The water gushes out of the rocks and the place is overgrown with centuries-old planes; it says that the actual source of the springs laying on the Omalos, winds its way through an underground cavity and comes here in Meskla in the daylight.
Recommendation: every year on 14th August, the eve before the Church’s Feast of the Assumption (15th August), a local celebration with traditional music and dance takes place here, everyone is welcome to join the locals on long benches and tables with Food & Drink.
Information. Difficulty level – easy. Distance – 6 km. Available with children. Accessible with the car.
