Limnakaro Plateau is located on the northern slopes of Dikti mountain at an altitude of 1,120 m and is surrounded from the southeast by the Lazaros hill of Dikti (altitude 2,048 m), from the west by the Strovili hill (altitude 1,533 m) and from the north by the Megali Korfi hill (altitude 1,309 m).
It has a triangular shape with the head of the triangle penetrating the mountain mass of Dikti and on the opposite side it crosses the border with the Lasithi Plateau. Its area is estimated at around 750 acres and it has a strong slope from south to north. Most of it, mainly the southern part, is covered by gravel that drains the water from Dikti mountain.
Its northern part of around 300 acres is alluvial and arable.
In Limnakaro, fruit-bearing trees thrive; apple trees, pear trees (especially the “winter” variety, which is one of the most delicious varieties of pears), walnut trees, etc.. The walnuts of Limnakaro are famous due to their quality. In Skafidia, there are some walnut trees that are several centuries old.
In the past, Limnakaro was cultivated intensively. Today, however, it is used as a pasture by the 5-6 breeders who are settled there. Recently, there has been an attempt to develop arboriculture, mainly walnut, in the area.
Most of the area of Limnakaros used to belong to the former Community of Ag. Georgiou and the rest in the former Communities of Avraconte and Kaminaki.
There are three access roads, moderate to poor walkability, for passenger cars.
One has its starting point in Ag. Georgios and through Vasilikos – Poros – Poulios the water approaches Limnakaro from the place Skafidia. The route is about 6 km.
The second road leaves Avraconte and through Koutsoura, Adilos, Fasoselos passes near the cave Peristera and reaches about the middle of the West side of the Plateau, is the best access road to Limnakaro.
The third road is a bypass of the 4th OA (Katofygi – Kaminaki). Starting from Kaminaki following the 4th OA approximately at the 3rd km of the route we take the dirt road on the left which leads us through Sklavomyti to Ag. Spirit (3.4 km).
The opening of these roads has helped the development of the area where in recent years some holiday homes have been built.
The church of Ag. Spirit is a two-aisled basilica located in the NW. corner of the Plateau. As it has been formed after the addition of the second aisle, it gives the impression of an external three-aisled church oriented to the north with the central aisle elevated. It strongly reminds the church of Ag. Markou in Heraklion. The first and oldest aisle of the church is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Savior and dates from the era of Venetian rule. Inside it has “fragments” of murals (so it dates back to the middle of the 15th century). To the right and left of the original entrance (today closed) and inside Ag. Step by step the existence of arcosolia is pointed out.
Recently, the Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities carried out works of fixing and maintenance of the church and the frescoes of its interior.
On the celebration of the Holy Spirit, a big festival takes place that attracts many visitors. In addition, the sequence of the Great Hours of the day has been established and is held every year on the morning of Good Friday when the epitaph is decorated with flowers collected by the pilgrims from the surrounding area, followed by a procession through the idyllic landscape. It is a worth living experience.