Chamezi, Siteia

Chamezi (Χαμέζι), previously known as Chamaizi (Χαμαίζι), is a village in the municipality of Sitia, in the regional unit of Lasithi, eastern Crete. It is situated at an altitude of 430 meters above sea level, on the road connecting Sitia with Agios Nikolaos, 10 kilometers before Sitia.

Historically, in 1583, the village was referred to as Camesi and had 371 residents. Venetian records from 1630 list the village as Glamesi, while the Turkish census of 1671 recorded it as Hamizi. In the Egyptian census of 1834, Kamesi had 20 Christian and 1 Turkish family. By the 1881 census, it belonged to the municipality of Siteia and was referred to as Chamaizi, with 313 Christian and 6 Turkish residents. In 1925, it became the seat of the community of Chamaizi, which lasted until 1997 when it was administratively incorporated into the municipality of Sitia. The name was officially changed from Chamaizi to Chamezi in 1940.

South of the village, on Souvloto Mouri hill, ruins of a Minoan house have been discovered. This house is unique due to its elliptical shape, a form between a circular and rectangular building. It dates back to the Middle Minoan IA period (around 20th century BC) and was built on the site of older buildings dating from the Early Minoan period. At Linares, near the coast, a rectangular built Minoan tomb from the Early Minoan era with rooms has been found. At Fatsi, near Liopetra, north of the current settlement, five square, vaulted, early geometric tombs have been discovered. According to Paul Faure, Liopetro or Liopetra, where the ruins of a large medieval castle are located, was the site of the ancient city of Petra, whose name is mentioned only on a coin. The explorer Spratt mentions that the Venetians believed that the ancient Assos was in that area.

Points of Interest

• Minoan House: Excavated in 1903 by Stephanos Xanthoudidis, this house from the Middle Minoan IA period is characterized by its elliptical shape. It was initially thought to be a peak sanctuary due to the discovery of figurines, but it seems that these originate from a sanctuary that had been incorporated into the house.
• Liopetro Castle: This castle, possibly built on the site of an ancient acropolis north of the village, has been ruined. Today, remains of the wall and towers, vaulted cisterns, and other buildings are preserved.
• Folklore Museum: Housed in a traditional 19th-century house, the museum was created in 1978 by the Cultural Association of Chamezi. It was expanded in 1993 with a new wing.

Settlement: Key Points

• Historical References: Referred to as Camesi in Venetian records from 1583 and Hamizi in Turkish records from 1671.
• Location: Situated at an altitude of 430 meters, 10 kilometers before Sitia on the road connecting Sitia with Agios Nikolaos.
• Historical Significance: Near the ruins of a Minoan house and a medieval castle.
• Population Data: Population has fluctuated throughout history, with a general decline in recent decades.
• Current Status: A small village and seat of the community of Chamezi in the municipality of Sitia.

Population Data

References

• Kolovos, Ilias (2010). The District of Siteia, Crete, in the First Years of Ottoman Rule. 10th International Cretological Congress.
• Wikipedia