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Prefecture: Heraclion
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Archagelos
At an altitude of 330m above sea level, just out of Kastelli village (1.5 km) to the east, lies the village of Archangelos with 326 residents. The village is rich in the production of olive oil, grapes, raisins, wine, and raki (the local spirit made from grape husks).
The village was originally named ‘Varvaro’, meaning barbarians and owed its name to the installation of the military forces of Nikiforos Fokas in 961. It was known with that name until 1920 when it was renamed after the main village church standing in the village’s main square, which is dedicated to the Archangel Michael.
There is another smaller and older church, that of the Panaghia, with Byzantine wall paintings. In a location known as Trochalos, archaeological finds have brought to light a series of Minoan tools dating back to the first and second Late Minoan periods. Remains of ancient mills can still be seen in the area.
The feast of Michail Archangelos on November 8th is celebrated with much feasting in the village.
Places near Archagelos
Church of Panagia Kera (Our Lady) in Kardouliano
This small church is located on the main provincial road from Kastelli to Apostoli As far as the architecture is concerned, it belongs to the type of a single – aisled arched church. Its frescoes, a sample of the folk art of the mid-14th century, are detached and transferred to the Historical Museum of Crete.
Basilica of St. John in Liliano
North of the settlement Liliano, where its cemetery stands, lies the church of St. John, which belongs to the architectural style of the three – aisled basilica, although on the outside it seems to have two aisles. The aisles are separated by small columns and covered by pointed arches. There are no frescoes in the church and on the walls, mainly in the southern part, there is part of a pillar with a ladder. The church probably dates from between the 12th and 13th century despite its archaic appearance.
During the German occupation, the building was used as a workshop and hardware store, and perhaps maybe for the Germans’ religious needs.
This is the building where electrical energy was produced for the military airport in Kastelli and for the electrified wires that surrounded it. The building continued to operate even after the withdrawal of the German occupation forces in order to meet the residents’ needs for electricity. Nowadays, you can still see the building, although it does not have the same function. It reminds us of the period of the German occupation and the numerous soldiers’ activities, who used to stay in the area due to its military importance.
The Presentation of the Virgin Mary in Sklaverochori
This single – aisled arched church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary’s Admission, is located in the cemetery at the entrance of the village Sklaverochori. The church bears paintings of exceptional quality, as far as the degree of their maintenance is concerned, as well as the level of their artistic performance.
It is worth noticing in the Zone of the Saints, which is developed on the north wall of the church, a rare depiction of the Catholic St. Francis of Assisi, who appears only for three times in the churches of Crete.
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