At an altitude of 289 meters, 58 km away from the
city, there is a small village of about 400 inhabitants, Laerma. Rumor has it
that the name of the village comes from the ancient municipality of Ladarma,
which belonged to the city-state of Lindia. Another version of the story
supports the view that the name of the village derives from the words “lardeon” and “ladas“, which mean a place full of
water, deer and vegetation -as it is.
This traditional village, ideal for hiking, is
situated in one of the largest plots of greenery on the island, and its
inhabitants are mainly engaged in farming. It is the perfect place for people
who love gastronomy, as well as for nature lovers, as they will discover rare
species of flora and fauna.
However, one of the main reasons for visiting Laerma
is the Monastery of Taxiarchis Michail [Archangel
Michael] in Tharri, the largest Byzantine monastery on the island, located just
a few kilometers south of the village. There’s been a lot of stories about how
the monastery was built. The church is decorated with religious paintings that
date back from the 12th to the 17th century AD and is built
in a lush environment where the protected species “Paeonia white”
grows. This plant is always found at high altitude and is quite common around
the monastery and in the neighboring areas of Prophitis Elias [Prophet Elijah], Archangelos and Arnitha.
It is also worth visiting the artificial lake Gadoura,
located a few kilometers northeast of the village. A lake created to solve the
island’s irrigation problem in an environment rich in flora and fauna, which
has attracted many migratory birds; a must for all those who love nature. The
village is also suitable for lovers of sport and adventure, as it offers a
variety of activities such as archery, horse riding and hiking, along with
exploring and guiding both in the village and around the dam. You will also be
able to taste delicious traditional dishes and local wine.
