In general, the geographical extent of Mesara stretches out, defined to the north by Psiloritis, to the south by the Asterousia mountain range, and traversed by the Geropotamos or Lithaios, which ultimately flows into its namesake bay.

A blessed land, gifted by God and nature, it bears evident traces of human activity from the depths of time to the present day. From mythology and the Minoan years, its Labyrinth, the cities of Phaistos and Gortyna, with the villa of Agia Triada and their ports Komo, Matala, Lenta, Platia Peramata, and Kaloi Limniones, stood out at premier levels.

During the Roman years, Gortyna flourished as the capital of Crete and Cyrenaica (Libya), while the apostle of the nations Paul established here the first Christian church of Crete, with Saint Titus as its first bishop. In the Byzantine period, the plain was filled with towers, monasteries, shrines, and hermitages, while it was a fief of the Byzantine family of Vlastos.

The Venetian occupation filled the area with Castles and utilized the towers to solidify its supremacy, seize the wealth of its products, and achieve the Latinization of its inhabitants. An antidote to this situation was the flourishing, operation, and radiance of its Orthodox monasteries, such as Odigitria with Levadioti, Apesanos, Vrontisi, and Valsamonero with their chapels.

They were centers of worship, culture, pillars of cohesion, and mainly centers of national orientation. Their operation and contribution were crucial during the difficult periods of Turkish rule, serving as refuges for the persecuted, despite the "tangible darkness of bitter slavery," since as stavropegial monasteries, they enjoyed privileges from the sultan, with the Hatti Humayun.