Mathia, Minoa – Pediada

Mathia is a village and the seat of the Mathia community in the Municipality of Minoa Pediada in the Heraklion Regional Unit of Crete. It belonged to the province of Pediada of the Heraklion Prefecture. It is located on the western approaches of Mount Afentis, at an altitude of 1,578 m, about 50 kilometers from Heraklion.

Etymology

The name is believed to come from the baptismal name Mattia, the feminine of Matteo (Matthew) which is mentioned in the contract of 1592: The illustrious lady Mattia Korner. [Cret. Chron. ΙΘ,’ 141] because it probably belonged as a fief to a Mattia, which is called Mathia (Mathios) in the Cretan dialect.

History

At the site of Stavroplaka, Middle Minoan tombs and pithoi were discovered. At the site of Katalimata, NW of the village, a building with pithoi dating from the Late Minoan Period was found and from a distance of 200 m the existence of a significant settlement with strong multi-storey buildings was confirmed. (Cret. Chron. ΙΑ΄334).

A fierce battle took place in Mathia at the location of Metochi, with Ismail Pasha choosing this place as a camp site due to its strategic location as it is a natural passage to the Lasithi Plateau. Even today the holly tree that dominates Metochi is called Ismail.

The Mathians often formed guerrilla groups that resisted the Turkish yoke. According to all censuses, there were never any Turkish residents in Mathia.

During the 1866 revolution, 100 armed men tried to stop the Turkish army but later retreated due to the numerical superiority of the Turks.

It is mentioned in 1583 as Mathia’ with 144 inhabitants. (Kastrofylakas, K95).

Economy

The inhabitants are engaged in agriculture and livestock farming, both domestic and nomadic. The main product is oil and raisins, as well as fodder crops. Various fruits are also produced, among which the Mathia figs are famous. From the mountainous area there are forests of holly, maples, etc.

Points of Interest

Sacred temples are of All Saints, which was inaugurated in 1909, of the Assumption of the Virgin with well-preserved frescoes, including punishments of the damned, of Agios Georgios (Saint George), also with frescoes. A primary school operated in the settlement.

In Mathia there are not many traditional examples of architecture to see. However, if you explore the outskirts of the settlement and its surroundings, you will surely come across some ruined old buildings such as threshing floors, mitata (stone-built shelters used by shepherds), sheepfolds and several scattered windmills around the village.

Also, in the wider area of Mathia there are beautiful churches of the Venetian period which are worth visiting. Heading northeast of the village, you will meet the church of Afentis Christos (Lord Christ), which is located in an idyllic location with dense vegetation and plane trees. A little further south of it, there is a two-room vaulted church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint John with 14th century frescoes. The wall decoration, which is preserved today in poor condition, in the single-aisled church of Agios Georgios (Saint George), east of the settlement, belongs to approximately the same period.

Finally, for those of you who love nature excursions, Mathia offers several possibilities for hiking, through the modern rural roads and the old paths that lead to the neighboring villages. However, it is suggested to follow the riverside path to Amariano which crosses the homonymous verdant valley.

Settlement: Key Points

• Historical References: Mentioned in 1583 as Mathia with 144 inhabitants.

• Location: Western approaches of Mount Afentis, 50 kilometers from Heraklion.

• Historical Significance: Site of Middle Minoan tombs, a Late Minoan settlement, and a battle during the 1866 revolution.

• Population Data:

  Year	Population	Notes
  1783	144
  1881	187	Christians
  1900	243
  1981	230
  1991	215
  2001	329
  2011	167
  2021	137

References

• Wikipedia