Azali

Dormition of the Theotokos church

Two kilometres of East of the village on the way to Lithines the temple of Dormition of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) is found. History reports it to have been built by Byzantines during the years of their sovereignty (961-1204). Was a monastery dependency of the monastery of ‘Kera’ – Virgin Mary in Pilalimata and it was destroyed from Turks invaders. The temple of Virgin Mary was restored unknown from who and when but it was destroyed once again by Turks from unknown cause. It is said that Turks of Daphne who had their flocks ranging in the area, did not allow the restoration of the Temple. In 1935 again the temple was restored by Mrs Maria Santimpantaki from the village Katsidoni of Sitia and the opening ceremony was held in the same year.

Πηγή:

«Πεύκοι “Τόπος και Ιστορία”», Γεωργίου Θ. Καναβάκη (Καναβογιώργη), Έκδοση Κοινότητας Πεύκων, Ιούλιος – Αύγουστος 1994

Rousso Haraki

 

The cave called Rousso Haraki (means red stone) is at the bottom of a scenery bluff and is used as a stockyard. The cave is located 2.5km east of the village.

 

It is said that in 1943 40 Italian army men were hidden in the cave as they were chased by the Nazi forces for not joining them after the descend of Italy. But they were arrested by the Germans. Four of them escaped on the way to the village and five who were officers were killed later near Sitia.