In the shadow of the imposing Canyon of Ha is the picturesque Monastiraki. Settlement with presence of centuries, with the first houses belong to monks, flourished in the 19th century, but gradually abandoned and for many years only one resident was staying in the area.

In a hub on the narrowest point of Crete lies the community of Down Village, which includes besides the homonymous village, the diocese, the upper Village, Papadiana and captivating Thripti over lasithiotika. Their strategic position in combination with the climate, abundant water, and thus highly productive soils, testify to the reasons why the area has been inhabited since the Neolithic era, over seven thousand back in the past.