Schinokapsala (Σχινοκάψαλα) is a village in the municipality of Ierapetra, in Lasithi, eastern Crete. It is located 21 kilometers from Ierapetra, at an altitude of 430 meters, on the southern slopes of Mount Thrypti, overlooking the Libyan Sea.
History
In the area of Xenotaphoi, a small Minoan tholos tomb has been discovered, while another small tholos tomb, which was found looted in the periphery of the village, could not be dated.
The village is mentioned by Francesco Barozzi in 1577 as Schino Capsala in the province of Siteia. In the Venetian census of 1583 by Castrofylakas, it is mentioned as Schinocapsala with 102 inhabitants. Francesco Basilicata mentions it in 1630 as Schinocaspala. The name of the village comes from the plant schinos and may refer to the result of a fire that aimed to burn the schinos and create pastures or, according to tradition, it refers to the fact that the first settler lived in a cave that was protected by schinos and at some point they were burned.
The village is not mentioned in the censuses of the Ottoman period. It was probably uninhabited, but the area was cultivated by farmers of Oreino, who gradually settled in the area, creating the village again. The village is mentioned again in 1928, when it was recognized as a settlement and annexed to the community of Oreino. In 1963 it was designated as the seat of a homonymous community, which lasted until 1997. With the Kapodistrias program it was annexed to the municipality of Makry Gialos and finally with the Kallikratis program to the municipality of Ierapetra.
- The church of Agios Georgios, south of the village, whose interior is decorated with frescoes.
- The parish church of the village is dedicated to Agios Nikolaos.
Administration
See: Community of Schinokapsalon
As a settlement it is officially mentioned in 1928, written Schoinokapsala (with “oi”) to be annexed to the community of Oreino. In 1940 its name was corrected to Schinikapsala and in 1963 with the Government Gazette 218A – 11/12/1963 it was designated as the seat of the newly established community. According to the Kallikratis plan and its amendment Kleisthenis I, together with Achlia, Galini and Mavros Kolympos. constitute the community of Schinokapsalon while according to the 2011 census it has 87 inhabitants. Combining the beauties of the mountain and the sea, the local community of Schinokapsalon stands out for its impressive mountain relief and the beautiful beaches in the communities of Achlia, Mavros Kolympos and Galini.
Climbing the slopes of Thrifti and crossing a unique – drowned in pine trees – route, we meet Schinokapsala at an altitude of 432 meters. A village built amphitheatrically, with an unobstructed view of the Libyan Sea. The waters of the area give Schinokapsala a very rich vegetation, with the pine forest of Livadakia dominating the north of the village, ideal for hiking excursions.
The history of the village starts from old times – the Venetian census of 1583 records 162 inhabitants – while according to legend its name comes from the adventures of the first settler, who lived in a cave that was protected by skins (plants), at some point, after a fire the skins were burned and the burned landscape with ashes and burned trunks that remained, was what characterized and finally named the area. Later the village was deserted but not its particularly fertile lands, which were mainly used by residents of Oreino. These were the ones who revived the village and since 1928 (where the next demographic registration with 165 inhabitants) onwards their population began to increase rapidly. The new – autonomous from Oreino – community was founded in 1955 (1949???) and reached its peak in the decades of the 60’s and 70’s where more than 100 children attended the local elementary school, with the village and its many cafes at that time bustling with life.
Today the number of inhabitants has decreased significantly, but the beauties of the village and its excellent climate have aroused the interest of many and there are many foreigners who either permanently or seasonally choose to live in Schinokapsala, buying houses and land.
The historic cafe that has been operating for over 50 years offers local and traditional delicacies while in the village there are also rooms to let. It is worth looking for the local wine bottling plant, of excellent quality.
In Schinokapsala there are many remarkable churches with that of Agios Georgios in which impressive frescoes are preserved, standing out in the south of the village.
The beaches of Achlia, Mavros Kolympos and Galini
Settlement: Key Points
- Historical References: The village is mentioned by Francesco Barozzi in 1577 as Schino Capsala. In the Venetian census of 1583 by Castrofylakas, it is mentioned as Schinocapsala with 102 inhabitants.
- Location: Schinokapsala is located in eastern Crete, 21 kilometers from Ierapetra, at an altitude of 430 meters, on the southern slopes of Mount Thrypti, overlooking the Libyan Sea.
- Historical Significance: The village has a long history, dating back to the Venetian period. It was probably uninhabited during the Ottoman period, but was later repopulated by farmers from Oreino.
- Population Data:
YearPopulationNotes1583102Schinocapsala1881Christians, Muslims1900192019281651940242195136119615371971458198130119911872001136201187202180
- Current Status: Schinokapsala is a small village with a population of 80 inhabitants (2021). It is known for its beautiful scenery and its location near several beaches.
References
