Mitata (rock caves)

Mitata are rock caves below the village of Mitata that had been shaped as shelters for domestic animals. It is believed that the term originated from the Cretan mitata" which were shepherds' dwellings and gave their name to the village of the same name. The word, in turn, comes from the Latin metatum, which means military quarters, while during Byzantine times the term was used for temporary accommodation. Each family had one, and they remained in use until the 1980s. They were mainly used by the inhabitants of Sklavianika.