Margarites Gorge is located 30 kilometers from the city of Rethymno and has been formed from limestone rocks 8-10 million years old as a result of the gradual uplift of the entire area and water erosion, the Margaritiano Gorge is filled with a wide variety of fauna and flora, including cypresses, low shrubs, wildflowers, and aromatic plants.
Geosite
Margarites is a village renowned for its beautiful architecture and traditional pottery workshops. However, in the broader area of the villages Margarites, Orthi, and Eleftherna, a series of small and parallel gorges appear. Small streams like Margaritianos develop to the north and constitute tributaries of the Geropotamos River.
The gorges are formed within the white-yellowish margaritic limestone of the upper Miocene (8-10 million years ago) as a result of the gradual uplift of the entire area and water erosion.
The geosite description is a result of the deliverable of the research project Joint Innovative Activities for Outdoor Tourism-JoinOut. The project entitled "Partnership of Innovative Rural Tourism Actions" and distinctive title: "JoInOuT", is implemented within the framework of the Action "Cooperative Innovation Formations/SCC" - 2nd Call: Businesses" and is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by National Resources in the context of the Operational Program "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPANEK)" of the NSRF 2014-2020" (Project code: ΓΓ2CL-0359457).
