The Perfecture Of Lasihti

When the Venetians occupied Crete (1210 - 1669) they first divided it administratively into sections, ie into prefectures (territorii) and provinces (sexterii), to which they gave names according to their language and their own standards, many of which are preserved to this day. These divisions were then divided as manors to Venetian nobles for administration and exploitation, except for the plateau of Dikti which is now called Lasithi with the surrounding areas, Alikampos and a large part of Messara (Miron area), which remained as public estates.

Some claim that "the earliest known written reference to the place name Lasithi is found in the Carta Concessionis (= concession document) of 1211 (Creta Sacra II, 239)", which states that Sitia, Ierapetra, Mirabello and Lassithi were the exarchate «Canaregia, o S. Apostolo: Settia Gerapetra Mirabello & Lasiti»

The Prefecture of Lasithi is the easternmost prefecture of Crete. It borders on the west with the Prefecture of Heraklion, having as a natural border the mountain range of Dikti. It is next to the sea on the other three sides i.e. the Cretan Sea to the north, the Carpathian to the east and the Libyan southerly. crete hotels The islands that belong to the Prefecture of Lasithi are numerous and interesting, each for its own reason. Spinalonga, the island with a Venetian fort that was also used as a gathering place for the Hansenians (lepers), Agioi Pantes, which is a refuge of Cretan chamois (krikri), Kolokytha, Pseira, Dionysiades, Elassa, Koufonisi, Chrysi with an endemic species of cedar etc.