Kourtaliotiko Gorge
Encyclopedia
, is a gorge on the southern side of the western part of the island of Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
.
It is situated where the Kourtaliotiko River flows southwards between the mountains of Kouroupa
Kouroupa
Kouroupa is a mountain in western Crete. Its summit is 984 metres above sea level. To the east of the mountain lies Kourtaliotiko Gorge. On the southern side of the mountain are the villages of Asomatos and Mirthios....
and Xiron.
Plakias
Plakias is a village on the south coast of the Greek island of Crete, in the Rethymno Prefecture, about 30 kilometres south of the city of Rethymno. It is part of the municipality Foinikas...
on the southern coast of Crete.
A small ruined church (Agios Nikolaos) sits within the gorge. There is also a 40 metre high waterfall.
The cliffs on the side of the gorge provide a roosting site for the Lammergeier
Lammergeier
The Lammergeier, Lammergeyer, or Bearded Vulture, Gypaetus barbatus , is the only member of the genus Gypaetus. Traditionally considered an Old World vulture, it actually forms a minor lineage of Accipitridae together with the Egyptian Vulture , its closest living relative...
vulture.
There is a specific point on the gorge, about 20 metres from the northern entrance, where you can hear some "claps", like hands coming together. These "claps" are the "kourtala", that give the name to the gorge. They are the consequence of the wind being funnelled through the high caves of the gorge and breaking the sound barrier. The point near the northern entrance is the main point to hear that sound.