Beginning in Mesta, we follow the signs located exactly at the village entrance. We walk along the old, stone cobbled road that dates back to the days when the to medieval settlements were intertwined. We come to the old water reservoir with the stone wells and the spring just a short distance from the village. From this point, the trail is uphill and we soon find the cobble road diminishing.
We easily continue up the hillside and admire the panoramic view of the village of Mesta behind us. On our right, we once again, see fields containing levels of old, dry stone -walls, a staircase enfolds before us.
The landscape consists of forested vegetation. As we continue to walk next to the creek, alongside pine trees, holm -oaks, arbutus, oak and mastic trees, we reach the small country church of Saint Antony. We can rest for a short while here, since there is an area that was created specifically to form a rest stop - the perfect place for a picnic.
We have reached the peak of the trail. Into the horizon, we admire the sea and on the peak, just opposite the sea, we see the four windmills of Mesta.
As we continue, the path proceeds downhill. The plant life surrounding us consists of pine trees, cypress trees and shrubs.
A panoramic view of the village of Olympi is just a few steps away.
We continue downhill and across the plain where we observe mastic trees, olive trees and fig trees. As we proceed further down, the path widens and easily stretches across to the village of Olympi. The signs guide us to the castle and village entrance.
To become familiar with the villages of Mesta and Olympi since they are the most well preserved medieval villages on the island.
The medieval villages or castle villages were built far from the sea, for protection against invading pirates. The outer walls of the village houses formed a continuous all, which transformed the village into a castle; entrance was permitted only from the two or three gates that maintained defense towers in the corners. In the village center, there was a livadi or meadow, in which a defense tower stood. In times of trouble, villagers sought refuge in the tower. Small roads leading from the central square formed a labyrinth, as they branched off into various directions.
Arches covered the narrow paths whilst simultaneously connecting the constructed blocks and thereby strengthening the passage from room to room in case of danger. The homes were duplex by standard. The ground floor was utilized as a strong area as well as a table whilst the family lived on the first floor. The ladder led to the pounti or atrium, which was also on the first floor and was used to ventilate the home.
The medieval villages contain many churches. The church of the Old Taxiarchi (Archangel) in Mesta is definitely worth visiting. The church features a wood -carved iconostasis, which mirrors scenes from the Old Testament.
The Trapeza or dining area in Olympi is of particular interest. It is a public building that is used even today for wedding preparations and banquets.