Messara Plain

The Messara Plain or simply Messara (Greek: Μεσσαρά) is an alluvial plain in southern Crete, stretching about 50 km west-to-east and 7 km north-to-south, making it the largest plain in Crete.

View of Messara from the hill of Phaestus

On a hill at its west end are the ruins of Phaestus,[1] near the middle are the ruins of the ancient city of Gortys.

Since 1500 BC the plain has extended by up to 6 km due to a buildup of alluvial sediment. Clays from Messara have been found to be the source of significant amounts of Minoan pottery; soil and rock types from the fringes of Messara, particularly the foothills of the Asterousia Mountains at the south and the foothills to the north within the Psiloritis Mountains.[2]

In the Messara, olive trees, vineyards and horticultural crops are grown here. Part of the products grown here are placed on the domestic market. Α substantial part of the produced olive oil is then exported to European markets. The Messara Plain is also home to the indigenous Messara horse.[3][4][5]