Agios Ioannis (Saint John) is a village located in the Amari Municipality, within the Regional Unit of Rethymno in Crete. It serves as the administrative seat for the community of the same name.
General Information
Agios Ioannis is situated 56 kilometers from the city of Rethymno, at an elevation of 370 meters above sea level. The village is positioned east of the Platy River and near the confluence of the Platy and Xife rivers. These waterways are crossed by old bridges, including the Xife bridge, known as “i Kamara” (the Arch), and the Manouras bridge.
Historical References
The village has a long history, with mentions dating back to the Venetian period.
Francesco Barozzi referred to it in 1577 as S. Z(uann)e Chiliaru, located in the Amari province. In the 1583 Venetian census conducted by Kastrofylakas, it was listed as S. Giovanni Ghliafu with a population of 47.
An 1834 census carried out by the Egyptians recorded a purely Christian population, with 15 families living in the village.
In the 1881 census, the village was documented as Agios Ioannis Chliaros, belonging to the municipality of Apodoulou, with 123 Christian residents. The 1900 census recorded 127 inhabitants.
Archaeological Significance and Landmarks
The area around Agios Ioannis contains several sites of historical and archaeological interest.
Kartsali Minoan Site
At the “Kartsali” location, a name of pre-Hellenic origin, remnants from the Minoan Era are preserved. It is believed that a Minoan Megaron (palatial building) existed here, situated on the ancient route that connected Phaistos with the Minoan settlement at Gournes Apodoulou, Monastiraki, and ancient Rithymna (present-day Rethymno). This megaron has not yet been excavated. A Minoan figurine discovered at Kartsali is now housed in the Heraklion Museum.
Aigianniiotiki Korifi
South of the village, on the summit of the hill known as “Aigianniiotiki korifi” (Saint John’s Peak), there is an abundance of pottery sherds from various historical periods, along with ruins of old structures. It is also speculated that the ruins of an early Christian basilica, dating to the 5th century AD, may be located here.
Church of Agios Ioannis (Cemetery Church)
The village is named after the Church of Agios Ioannis (Saint John), which is located in the cemetery. This church is a single-aisled, barrel-vaulted structure. The interior preserves frescoes from two distinct periods. The older layer, dating to the early 14th century, is partially preserved in the sanctuary and is in poor condition. A newer layer of frescoes dates to the early 15th century and is better preserved. Among the more well-maintained frescoes is a depiction of the Nativity of John the Forerunner. The presence of successive rows of tombs and the ruins of cells found around the church suggest that it once served as the katholikon (main church) of a monastery. Based on a preserved icon of the Panagia (Virgin Mary), the church’s construction is dated to around 1285, during the time of Alexios Kallergis.
Parish Church of Agioi Tesseres
The main parish church of Agios Ioannis is dedicated to the Agioi Tesseres (Four Saints). This church dates to the last third of the 19th century and underwent renovation in 1893.
Manouras Bridge
A short distance west of the village, at the confluence of the Platy River and the Mounoucha stream, stands the Manouras Bridge, also known locally as “Kamara Manoura” (Manouras’ Arch). This four-arched bridge was constructed during the period of Egyptian rule in Crete and is now a preserved monument due to its distinctive vault construction.
Former Primary School
A primary school operated in Agios Ioannis from 1899 until 1986. The original school building was constructed in 1928 and was later replaced by a newer structure in 1968.
Culture and Social Life
Particularly during the summer months, Agios Ioannis is known for its evening social gatherings, or “veggeres.” These take place at traditional local spots, including cafes and taverns, which often remain open late into the night.
The village holds its traditional festival (panigiri) annually on August 29th, celebrating the feast day of Agios Ioannis Rigologos (Saint John, associated with fevers or shivers).
Notable Individuals
Emmanouil Papadogiannis (1889-1971), a lawyer who served as the Minister of Reconstruction for Greece between 1948 and 1950, was born in Agios Ioannis.
Administrative History
Agios Ioannis was officially designated as the seat of the newly established community of the same name in 1925 (Government Gazette 27A – 31/01/1925). Until the Kapodistrian administrative reforms, it remained an independent community, after which it was incorporated into the Municipality of Kourites.
Under the current Kallikratis plan, as amended by the Kleisthenis I program, Agios Ioannis forms the Community of Agios Ioannis Amariou. This community is part of the municipal unit of Kourites within the larger Municipality of Amari.
Settlement: Key Points
- Location: 56 km from Rethymno, Amari Municipality, Rethymno Regional Unit, Crete. Built at an altitude of 370 meters, near the Platy and Xife rivers.
- Historical Mentions: S. Z(uann)e Chiliaru (Barozzi, 1577), S. Giovanni Ghliafu (Kastrofylakas, 1583), Agios Ioannis Chliaros (1881).
- Archaeological Importance: Minoan remains at Kartsali, artifacts at Aigianniiotiki Korifi, historic Church of Agios Ioannis with 14th and 15th-century frescoes.
- Population Data:
YearPopulationNotes158347as S. Giovanni Ghliafu1881124124 Christians, as Agios Ioannis Chliaros1900177192022019282371940216195121419612231971146198112019919920011092011117202197
- Current Administrative Status: Seat of the Community of Agios Ioannis Amariou, Municipal Unit of Kourites, Municipality of Amari.
References
Access
Agios Ioannis is 12.3 kilometers away from Tympaki and 4.4 kilometers away from Fourfouras
