438 listings found

Mitropoli, Gortyna

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Gortyna, Heraklion
Mitropoli, a village in Crete's Gortyna municipality, sits adjacent to the significant archaeological site of Gortyna. Its name derives from the nearby ruins of the first Byzantine metropolitan church of Agios Titos. Recent excavations have unearthed a mosaic floor from an early Christian basilica, further highlighting the area's historical depth. The village is approximately 46 kilometers from Heraklion. Mitropoli's economy is largely agricultural, focusing on grapes, olives, vegetables, cereals, and citrus fruits. The village has a primary school, kindergarten, and the central church of Agios Nikolaos, showcasing Byzantine architecture. Historical population data shows fluctuations, with the current population around 370. Mitropoli's proximity to Gortyna makes it a point of interest for those studying ancient and Byzantine history.

Platanos, Gortyna

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Heraklion
Platanos, a village in Heraklion, Crete, near the Mesara Plain, is known for olive oil production. The village's history includes an 1878 protest regarding aid and taxation. Near Platanos lies an Early Minoan settlement with tholos tombs, discovered in 1915. First recorded in 1834, the village has a church dedicated to Agios Georgios and a primary school. Platanos is part of the municipality of Gortyna.

Roufas, Phaistos

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Festos, Heraklion
Roufas, a village in Heraklion, Crete, has a history dating back to the Venetian era, evidenced by censuses from 1583 recording 424 inhabitants. During Ottoman rule, the village was inhabited solely by Turks. Today, Roufas is a smaller settlement with a population of 71 (2021), serving as the seat of the Roufas community within Phaistos municipality. The village features the main church of Saint Basil and several smaller churches dedicated to various saints. Plouti, a smaller settlement nearby, is also part of the Roufas community. Plouti's population was 48 in 2011. Historical records show Plouti had 146 inhabitants during the Venetian period.

Astyraki, Malevizi

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Heraklion, Malevizi
Astyraki is a settlement located in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Malevizi.

Agios Myronas, Heraklion

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Heraklion, Malevizi
Agios Myronas, a picturesque village in the Heraklion region of Crete, boasts a rich history dating back to the Minoan era. The area was once home to the ancient city of Raikos, and archaeological remnants from this period, along with artifacts from the Roman era, are now housed in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. The village, nestled on two hilltops at an altitude of 450 meters, offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Named after Saint Myron, a 4th-century Bishop of Crete who was born in ancient Raikos, Agios Myronas has been a site of resistance throughout history, with villagers actively participating in uprisings against Ottoman rule and the Axis occupation during World War II. Today, the village thrives as a blend of old and new, with traditional architecture alongside modern amenities. Its approximately 720 residents are primarily engaged in agriculture and livestock farming, particularly renowned for their grapes and wine production. Agios Myronas features a primary school, a secondary school, a high school, a police station, a post office, and a regional medical center, ensuring a good quality of life for its inhabitants. The imposing cathedral of Agios Myronas, housing the saint's tomb and relics, is a significant landmark, and the annual festival on August 8th celebrates Saint Myron's feast day.

Grigoria, Phaistos

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Heraklion
Grigoria, a village in Crete's Phaistos Municipality, sits on Mount Psiloritis' southern foothills. First noted in Venetian records (1563), its name derives from "grigoros" (fast). The village, at 420m altitude, offers views of the Messara Plain. Its history includes WWII hardship and population fluctuations (214 in 2001, 173 in 2011). Today, residents focus on olive and livestock farming. Grigoria features a medical clinic, churches (Saint George, Saint Anthony), the Koules castle, Temeneli spring, a Lagolio walking route, and the 1850 "Moulali" mill. The annual September 14th festival showcases Cretan music.

Gianniou, Agios Vassilios

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Agios Vasilios, Rethymno
Gianniou is a settlement located in the Rethymno regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Agios Vassilios

Lefkogeia, Agios Vassilios

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Agios Vasilios, Rethymno
Lefkogeia is a settlement located in the Rethymno regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Agios Vassilios

Asomatos, Agios Vassilios

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Agios Vasilios, Rethymno
Asomatos is a settlement located in the Rethymno regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Agios Vassilios

Koxare, Agios Vassilios

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Agios Vasilios, Rethymno
Koxare, a village in the Agios Vasileios municipality near Rethymno, Crete, is located on the foothills of Mount Kouroupa. Known for its fertile land and strategic location, it's near the Kourtaliotiko Gorge. The village's history traces back to the Middle Minoan period, evidenced by a Minoan peak sanctuary discovered at 735m. Koxare was also home to the Kallergis family and was the site of significant conflicts during the Ottoman occupation and World War II. Residents beheaded the Turkish leader Deli Mustafa in 1821, and many Christians were killed in the Koxare gorge in 1878. The village was destroyed in 1944 by Occupation troops. Koxare's name is attributed to its first settler, a descendant of a Byzantine family.

Gkagkales, Gortyna

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Gortyna, Heraklion
Gangales is a village in the Heraklion Regional Unit, Crete, with a history dating back to the Second Byzantine period (961-1204). The village is located on the Messara plain, 48.8 km from Heraklion. Gangales is mentioned in Venetian and Ottoman records, and played a role in the Cretan resistance against both empires. During World War II, it sheltered Allied soldiers and resistance fighters. The main church is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Savior. Gangales also has a primary school and a kindergarten. Today, it is a small agricultural village and the seat of the Gangales Municipality. The population of Gangales has fluctuated throughout its history, with a peak of 493 in 1981. As of 2021, the population was 264.

Charaki, Archanes – Asterousia

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Archanes - Asterousia, Heraklion
Charaki (officially: Charakion) is a village and seat of the namesake community in the Municipality of Archanes-Asterousia in the Heraklion Regional Unit of Crete. It is part of the former […]

Agkouseliana, Agios Vassilios

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Agios Vasilios, Rethymno
Agkouseliana is a settlement located in the Rethymno regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Agios Vassilios

Saktouria, Agios Vassilios

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Agios Vasilios, Rethymno
Saktouria is a settlement located in the Rethymno regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Agios Vassilios

Mournies, Ierapetra

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Ierapetra, Lasithi
Mournies is a village in eastern Crete's Ierapetra municipality, situated at 310m altitude. A significant revolutionary center during Ottoman rule, its history is marked by the German occupation. In September 1943, as a reprisal, German forces executed 21 men at a location known as Seli in Sfakoura and subsequently burned the entire village, declaring it a “dead zone.” Points of interest include an old stone fountain and the parish church of Agios Charalambos. The village has experienced a significant population decline since the 19th century.

Mourne, Agios Vassilios

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Agios Vasilios, Rethymno
Mourne is a settlement located in the Rethymno regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Agios Vassilios

Klima, Phaistos

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Heraklion
Klima village, in Crete's Amari Valley, has a history dating back to the Venetian period. Located 70 kilometers from Heraklion, it was part of the Rethymno district during the Ottoman period and became part of the Heraklion prefecture after 1913. Agriculture is central to village life, with olive groves, vineyards, and sheep and goat herding. The village has a rich cultural heritage, with a strong Cretan identity expressed through dialect, music, and dance. The "Kritikos" dance is popular at festivals and weddings. Religion is also important, with the Assumption of the Virgin Mary celebrated on August 15th. Family and community are central to village life, with strong kinship ties and shared responsibility. Traditional gender roles are observed, but there is also a strong sense of community spirit, evident in the tradition of offering labor for communal projects.

Faneromeni, Phaistos

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Festos, Heraklion
Faneromeni is a settlement located in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Phaistos

Kitharida, Malevizi

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Heraklion, Malevizi
Kitharida is a settlement located in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Malevizi.