Damasta is an old village that lies along the Old National Road from Heraklion to Rethymnon. The village is already mentioned in the 16th century. There village is at 400 meters altitude and there are about 250 people living there. The village can be reached via the route Heraklion - Gazi - Marathos - Damasta. There are two churches in the village and there is a war monument.
Down in the valley is a marble quarry.
Damasta is known for the so-called "Damasta sabotage" in which the local Cretan resistance together with the British wanted to prevent the Germans from assaulting the population of Anogia in August 1944.
The Germans had captured a number of inhabitants of that village and wanted to put them to work. They were however freed by the resistance and the Germans were all killed. The Germans who then went to Anogia to get satisfaction, were raided by Damasta on their way.
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