Creta Maris Revives Traditional Customs of Crete

Aiming to promote Crete’s products, culture and traditions, the Creta Maris Beach Resort recently gave its guests and employees the opportunity to take part in two traditional customs of the island for the production of raisins.

Creta Maris revived the opsigias, one of Crete’s oldest customs related to the production of raisins, at an event which began in August and was completed this month.

During the event in August, Creta Maris staff and guests helped transfer the grapes from the vineyard to the resort, where they proceeded with the lousidiasma by putting the grapes in a large bucket full of water and potash. Then, they hung the grapes on the opsigias – a construction of metal rows joined together by wires. (The process sees the grapes remaining on the opsigias until they become raisins.)

In early October, Creta Maris’ guests had the chance to complete the procedure with the xelykisma by collecting the raisins from the opsigias and cleaning them.

Participants also sampled local raisin-based dishes, accompanied by tsikoudia (strong grape-based alcoholic beverage) from the Cretan vineyard.

The two activities were held in the context of Creta Maris Beach Resort’s participation in the “We do local” program and the “TUI Care Foundation/Futouris” project, which offer guests a valuable experience of Cretan culture.

Creta Maris is located in the area of Hersonissos on Crete, 24 km away from the Heraklion Airport.