ages are gathered on the 18 km of the gorge route. It was named after Saint Maria of Egypt (Osia (Saint) Maria, Sia Maria, Samaria) who is worshiped in the small church that is a little outside the inhabited area of Samaria. Wild animals and Cretan people always felt that the gorge is a part of their being, literally like their home. The last years, by its declaration as National park (1962) and the work that took place, the gorge became more accessible to visitors coming from all over the world. Local people continue to be the trustees of the place and the people who guarantee the maintenance of its authenticity and its existence. Samaria National Park The core of the Park covers 5100 hectares (51.000.000 sq.m.). On the west it is delimited by the summits Psilafi (1983m), Gigilos (2080m) and Volakias (2226m). Northern of the place Xyloskalo and the edges of the plateau of Omalos and eastern of the summits of Melidau (2133m) and Psiristra (1766m). On the south, the core of the park reaches the exit of the Gorge to the
Libyan sea. During winter, the climate of the Park is cold and wet since sun lights here only a few hours per day. Rains are frequent, while the summits all around are covered by snow. During summer, the climate is dry and warm in particular on the days when there is no wind blowing. During spring and autumn, shiny days are rotating with cloudy and rainy days and sudden storms are also frequent. Passing through the Gorge of Samaria is a unique and unprecedented experience. Green buses start from the town of Chania very early in the morning at about 6 am and they continue regularly all day long. A very beautiful road with turns like a snake and consecutive changes is really impressing. A hope different than others takes you over. You fell different as if something unfamiliar is going to happen to you. Fournes is 15 kilometers from Chania. The area all around is one of the main centers for the production of citrus fruits. A little after the road, the gardens with orange trees are lost and the road becomes uphilling. In