Messara Plain

The Messara Plain or simply Messara (Greek: Μεσσαρά) is an alluvial plain in southern Crete, stretching about 50 km west-to-east and 7 km north-to-south, making it the largest plain in Crete.

Since 1500 BC the plain has extended by up to 6 km due to a buildup of alluvial sediment.

Clays from Messara have been found to be the source of significant amounts of Minoan pottery; soil and rock types from the fringes of Messara, particularly the foothills of the Asterousia Mountains at the south and the foothills to the north within the Psiloritis Mountains.

[2] In the Messara, olive trees, vineyards and horticultural crops are grown.

Α substantial part of the produced olive oil is then exported to European markets.