Psari Forada, Viannos

Summary About This Location

A coastal village in the Viannos area of Heraklion, 89 km southeast of the city, located on the supposed site of ancient Sidonia. Its name, meaning "Grey Mare," is tied to a legend of the Byzantine general Theophilos. The settlement features the long Sidonia beach, characterized by dark grey sand and deep, clear waters, stretching from Cape Theofilos to Cape Sentona. The area's warm climate supports agriculture, including olives and bananas.

Full text below

Psari Forada

Psari Forada (Ψαρή Φοράδα) is a coastal village located in the regional unit of Heraklion on the island of Crete, Greece. It is part of the municipal unit of Viannos. The settlement is situated approximately 89 kilometers southeast of Heraklion city. It is in a small valley-plain, about 9 kilometers east of the town of Viannos and 1 kilometer north of the beach of Sidonia. Psari Forada is considered a quiet, traditional area that has seen mild tourism development in recent years.

The area’s warm climate is favorable for agriculture, particularly the cultivation of olives, some subtropical fruits such as bananas, and early outdoor vegetables.

The name of Psari Forada

There are a few accounts regarding the origin of the name Psari Forada, which translates to “Grey Mare” or “Mare with a greyish coat.” One version claims the name comes from a story about an Ottoman Aga who, to demonstrate his power, hung his grey mare in a specific spot or left it there to die of thirst.

A more common story links the name to the Byzantine general Theophilos, who led a fleet to recapture Crete from the Saracens. The fleet landed at the current location known as “Thiofilo” (Theophilos). Theophilos’s favorite mare was injured and could not follow him on the campaign, but he did not want to kill it. He instructed his soldiers to tie the mare under a large olive tree and ask the locals to care for it until it died.

Settlement: Key Points

Location: Psari Forada is located in the municipal unit of Viannos, Heraklion, Crete, approximately 89 kilometers southeast of the city of Heraklion.
Current Status: The village is a quiet, traditional settlement with mild tourist development.
Population Data: