Males is a historic village in the municipality of
Ierapetra in
Lasithi prefecture on
Crete. It is situated 25 kilometers north-west of
Ierapetra, 40 from
Agios Nikolaos and 12 kilometers away from the sea (
Myrtos village).
Together with nearby hamlets
Hristos and
Metaxohori Males until recently formed the Nea Mala municipality. It is built 550 meters above sea level, south east of
Dikti mountain, in an area rich in vegetation. It is built where the ancient city of Mala was.
In the
Venetian period it was the most populous village of Ierapetra. The village has many interesting churches from the
Byzantine and Venetian period. The forest surrounding of Males is unique on Crete, despite the fires that have destroyed much of the ecosystem of this place in recent years. The forest
Selakano is still mostly undisturbed. It is the most important forest of Crete, some 4 kilometers away in the north western part of the village.
Three kilometers from the settlement on the road to Ierapetra lies "Panagia Exacousti" monastery.
References
Ierapetra
Populated places in Lasithi
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