The southern side retains the last of the once famous lavender plantations of the peninsula. In 1924 lavenders were planted here and by the ’40s the plantation took on a size of almost 100 acres. Lavender oil produced in the region was renowned across the continent and its quality surpassed even that of the oils coming from French plantations. The area was put under dual utilization with the introduction of almond cultivation.Regrettably, growing was discontinued in the ’60s and vine plants replaced most of the lavender plantation. The remaining 20 acres fell to natural succession and the forest started to take over.
In the mid-’90s the National Park took the initiative to press back the brushwood on areas deemed suitable (i.e. where stems of lavender survived in greater numbers).
The old lavender fields are mainained by regularly cleaning the area from brushwood and through grazing, so at the turn of June and July visitors may feast their eyes on a lavender sea rolling over 10 acres.
Some of the original vegetation has returned since cultivation was abandoned. A plant-life characteristic for sloping steppes thrives among lavender socks, forming together a unique habitat not found anywhere else. Which is home to a number of precious plants and animals.
