| The highest summit of the Asterousia Mountains (1.231 m) is called Kofinas, which means 'hamper', because it looks like an inverted basket. Its pointed shape is recognizable from far away. |
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In short distance it is incredible how the summit changes its shape: now flat and wide, now pointed and high – depending on from which side you look at it. |
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It is most dramatic from Kapetaniana and from the road leading to the monastery of Koudoumas. |
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It is possible to get close to the summit following a sometimes bad dirt road from Kapetaniana, or from Sternes or Paranymfi - also by dirt roads, which are in a slightly better condition. | |||
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The roads meet on a relatively flat plateau, which in early summer stands with waving grains, but in late summer is completely scorched. |
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There is great opportunity to see vultures, who live here in large flocks. |
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From the plateau, a gravel road leads up to the church of Panagia Kera (also called Kato Ekklisia - the lower church) at the foot of the mountain's peak. | |||
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From this point the rest of the trip takes place on foot, but the route is well marked, |
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offers some outstanding sceneries.
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In Minoan time there was a sanctuary at the peak, as it is often seen on other mountain peaks. Several findings have been made here and in the area around. | |||
| In the month of January you can see the sun rise over the very peak of Kofinas from the large square of Phaistos. |
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Upon the minoan sanctuary there has been built a church of the Holy Cross (Timios Stavros), where a church fete is hold on 14th September. |
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At this festival people collect the "apples of Kofinas". As a matter of fact these are not apples, but the fruits of the tree greek mountain ash (sorbus umbellata var. cretica). | |||
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| From the summit there is a formidable view. | ||||
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