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Panagia Spiliotissa mon.
Among the traditional villages of Agios Vasilios and Houdetsi, (Heraklion Prefecture) is the Monastery of Panagia Spiliotissa.
The Monastery is located 20km south of Heraklion town and it is hidden in the sides of the lush green Spiliotissa canyon. It can be easily accessed by walking on a green path, 500m long, from Houdetsi village. Along this path you will see the Byzantine churches of St. John and Anthony, and two old water mills. The church was founded in the early 17th century, after finding the image of the Virgin. The year 1649 was donated to the Monastery of Sinai because of the privileges and since then is in dependency of Sinai. The monastery because of lack of space and ιts quiet nature is unable to accept organized tourist groups.
Places near Panagia Spiliotissa mon.
The most interesting part of the stream, with a maximum natural, historical and religious beauty is what lies between the above settlements, and has a total length of approximately 1,5 km.
The area is rich with natural vegetation, trees, shrubs and low plants such as Tree, downy oak, Vitiligo, Willow, Laurel, Schinias, Carob, Ivy, bush etc. The local, climatic and hydrological conditions helps the cultivation of citrus groves and vineyards.The continuous flow of the stream comes not only from the winter rains but also from the artesian source Houdetsi. The stream is not only a habitat of plants. There are many other birds and small mammals that nest in this, finding food and water. All these make a beautiful landscape of colors and sounds.The history of the Monastery of Panagia Spiliotissa wchich is located in the gorge and only 500m far from Houdetsi village, begins around 1000 AD. Today belongs to St. Catherine of Sinai.Visitors to the area can walk in a well structured path near the stream, enjoying the unique natural landscape from the settlement of Houdetsi to the settlement of Agios Vasilios, or vice versa.
Kalloni village is located 20 kilometers south of Heraklion at 330 meters altitude. The villagers, who numbered 242 at the 2011 census, have as main occupation agricultural and the production of raisins.
The current name of the village was acquired in 1928 by the president of that time who served as a policeman in Kalloni village of Mytilene. The old name of the village was Skillous associated with Skillounta, the city of Xenophon in Trifilia at Peloponnese. The area even seems to be inhabited from the Minoan era as shown by the ruins of a Minoan settlement with shells and figurines of Archaic era.
The habitation continues and later during the Byzantine and Venetian period as indicated by the Byzantine churches and the ruins of a Venetian fortress. The earliest mention of the village was in 1271 with the name Kilee. Later referred with names Sichilla, Sichylu, Scilu, Castro Sichilu, Schilus and Iskilus.
POPULATION: 426 (2001 Census)ALTITUDE: 360 mDISTANCE FROM HERAKLION: 21km.ROUTE: Proposed routes:A) Heraklion-Knossos-Spilia-Kounavoi-Peza-Kalloni-Aghios Vasileios.B) Heraklion-Skalani-Peza-Kalloni- Aghios Vasileios. (via the new national road Heraklion-Viannos). PREFECTURE: Heraklion
A view in one of the most authentic and breathtaking landscapes. Vines and olives wave in silver and green colors when the air is playing with their leaves. Its distance from Heraklion is 21 kilometres. According to the latest Census in 2001 the population sums up to 426 residents. It shares a border with Kalloni, Houdetsi and Melesses.
Patron saint is of course is Aghios Vasileios with the temple at the Centre of the settlement which together with the rest in the surrounding area highlights the reverence of the inhabitants. Indeed, the old people tell us that during the epidemic of swine fever that had ravaged the surrounding villages Aghios Vasileios was not afflicted, because it was protected by the churches that surround it. Apart from the churches, one can admire the village itself walking through the alleys and beautiful neighborhoods such as: Livadi, Plakoura, Kolonaki, Kara, Tourkogheitonia, Katrades and Geraki.Name-Historical elements.
The earliest indication of the name, owed to the the Church of the Saint which dominates in the Centre of the village is in a 1368 document where it’s referred to as Agio Vassili. In 1391 it was a fief of Marcus Dandulo. In 1577 it is reported by Barozzi as Agios Vassilis, in 1583 from the Kastrofylakas as S. Baseggio with 269 inhabitants, in 1630 by the Basilicata as Basegio de Schilus. In the Turkish census of 1671 it’s referred to as Hagio Vαsili with 15 Christian and 10 Turkish families, in 1881 it is included in the municipality of Aghies Paraskies with 375 Christians and 23 Turks. In 1900 it’s still in the same municipality with 390 inhabitants. In 1928 it is the seat of a homonymous community with 465 inhabitants. In all of the county’s fights there were defenders of the homeland from this village. In the Macedonian war, Konstantinos Hatzidakis and Solonas Kamilakis were distinguished fighters.Archaeology-myth and tradition.
Very close to the agglomeration, going South within the Valley to Houdetsi is the cavernous Sinnaitic Temple and Holy Monastery of Spiliotissa (iera Moni Spiliotissas), a Sinai dependency/glebe (metochi). The mural traces on the on the rock walls of the Virgin Mary’s cave (Spileo Panagias) are dated back to the 15th century.
At the end of the 16th century the monastery belonged to the rich offsprings of the Venetian family of Falieron. In 1599, scholar Ioannis Morezinos was appointed by the Venetians as a minister in the monastery of Spiliotissa. In 1600 it appears that the monastery was peaking.
It was passed to Sinai as an oblation to escape the Turks, but we do not know when exactly this happened. In 1866 the first elementary school in the region was founded in the monastery. Georgios Parasirakis is one of the names mentioned among the teachers. In those years this school was providing its services to the neighbouring settlements as well.
In the same Valley towards Houdetsi another Sinaitic Temple is located, the Church of Aghios Ioannis Prodromos (Saint John the Forerunner) with intensely interesting murals dating back to 1291. The ownership inscription near the door reads:Renewed and restored the all-venerable and divine temple… Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John by… and in the expense of Nikolaos Tziakontopoulos… nun… year… of Andronikos Paleologos..
In the location of the village you will find more churches with murals such as the Church of Aghios Antonios and Aghia Pelagia. Some of the other churches are the ones of Aghia Paraskevi, Aghia Kiriaki, Aghios Konstantinos, Aghios Athanasios and Cyrillos. Two persons are portrayed in the Church of Aghios Athanasios and Cyrillos, a smiling and a sad one. In accordance with the lore, once there were two sisters. One stole the other’s dowry. The one who took them laughs while the other cries.www.endoxora-irakleiou.gr
Houdetsi is located in the center of the N. Kazantzakis municipality. It borders the Arkalochori municipality to the east and the Municipalities of Temenos and Archanes to the west. It’s built at an altitude of 440 meters at a distance of 23 km from Heraklion. It is beautiful and full of greenery. The square from which you will pass and the main street, are full of everyday life.
POPULATION: 863 (Census 2001)ALTITUDE: 440 m.DISTANCE FROM Heraklio: 23 km
PATH: Proposed routes: Heraklion Knossos-Spilia-Kounavoi-Peza-Kalloni-Ag. Vasileios-Houdetsi.PREFECTURE: Heraklion
Locals and passers-by enjoy the coolness of the large trees in the traditional cafes. Located here is the museum of traditional musical instruments and the Musical Workshop Labyrinth, founded and operated since 2001 by the municipality on N. Kazantzakis through the Municipal Development Technical Company “ELTYNA” with the contribution of the worthy and well-traveled musician and teacher, Ross Daily.
This suggests the natural and great love of the people for music. From this village came Nicholas Markakis, rhyme maker, son of the wise, so-called (Daskalos) "teacher" John Markakis, born in 1860 in Houdetsi. He wrote the rhyme for the seating of Aghios Minas in Iraklion in 1895. Also from Houdetsi came Lefteris Vlasakis an excellent instrument maker whose instruments, mandolins in particular, are still present throughout Greece.
Name-Historical data.
Paul Faure claims that the etymology of the name of the village comes from the Arabic word guds, which means saint. The earliest mention of the settlement is referred in a document of the notary of Candia Leon. Marcello, in 1279, as Casale Tudeti, a bad spelling of the word Chudei a rather common error for the time. In a 1379 document it’s referred to from the Ducal file of Candia as Chudeci. In another document of the same file in 1395 it is referred to as Cudeci "feudum" de Christo of franciscus et Donatus Cornaro, seeking the ouster of Andrea Micael Cornaro from their mill in the village Cudeci. In 1577 referred by Fr.Barozzi as Chudheci, the Kastrofilaka in 1583 as Cudeci with 233 residents from the Basilicata as Chudheci in 1630.
In the Turkish census of 1671 reported as Hodec with 27 hikes, in the Egyptian census of 1834 as Kudhetsi with Christian 20 and 5 Turkish families. Hourmouzis states that in 1842 it had 26 Turkish and 5 Christian families and 6 churches. One of these was the old church of Aghios Nikolaos in the suburbs.
In 1881 stated as Houdetsi in Ag. Paraskies municipality with 339 Christians and 12 Turks residents. In 1900 it’s in the same municipality with 362 inhabitants, while in 1920 it becomes the seat of the homonymous rural municipality with 492 inhabitants.In 1928 it is a community with 612 residents in 1940 it’s referred to as Choudetsion with 633 inhabitants. Archeology-myth and tradition.
Of archaeological interest is the fountain of the village, dating back to 1671 and called Chatzines. In the place called Flampouriaris, was found in 1952 a small clay head of Athena with a helmet. In the same place there are ruins of aqueduct pipelines and installation of the Hellenistic period. In 1961 in the position Korfi were found parts and zodiac figurines, of the Middle Minoan period.
Patron saint of the village is Aghios Ioannis o Theologos (Saint John the Theologian), which was founded in 1874. Inside the church are a lot of lime covered murals. Here was also discovered the stone image of St. George. Other churches are the Aghia Paraskevi, Aghios Nikolaos, Aghios Antonios, Timios Stavros (the Holy Cross), Aghios Panteleimon, AghiosPaisios, Michael Archangel, the Panaghia Zoodochos Pigi and more.
Text: www.endoxora-irakleiou.gr
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