The Vosakos Folds Open-Air Museum

Can we envision Crete as the bed of an ancient sea? Indeed, such was the case until 23 million years ago, when immense pressures between the lithospheric plates of Eurasia and Africa caused the emergence of the first land.

The tremendous pressures and temperatures that arose during the journey of the rocks from a depth of 35 kilometres to the surface crumpled and deformed them, giving rise to a diverse array of folds (known as the Vosakos Folds). These folds exhibit distinctive features along the route to the Monastery of Vosakos in the Psiloritis Geopark. The intensity of the Vosakos Folds is heightened by the alternations of white pyritic layers with grey marble, often accompanied by impressive cracks.

Consequently, they can be regarded as a world-class open-air geological museum, offering a captivating display along with the scenic landscape of the Geropotamos valley, the charming settlement of Doxaro, the mitata (shepherds’ huts) with their threshing floors, and the remarkable olive trees. This spectacle unfolds along the designated path ascending to the slopes of Kouloukonas, intersecting with the Vosakos road.

Photo: M Nikolakakis

Information: Psiloritis Geopark