Skalani, Heraklion

A Cretan Village Steeped in History

Skalani is a village located in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. Situated southeast of the Prophet Elias hill, it lies approximately 10.8 kilometers from the city of Heraklion. The village’s inhabitants primarily engage in olive cultivation and viticulture, producing raisins and olive oil. Skalani boasts essential amenities, including a post office, a central square, a primary school, a kindergarten, and a water supply from the Fountana spring.

Religious and Historical Landmarks

Within the village, there are two churches: the Church of Saint John the Baptist, which celebrates its feast day on August 29th, and the Church of Saint George. In 1980, research led to the discovery of the ruins of the Monastery of Saint Minas in the Aposami area. Notably, this is the only monastery dedicated to Saint Minas on the entire island of Crete.

Historical References

Historical records reveal various spellings of the village’s name, such as Scalarea, Acalari, Scallare, and Schallaro, likely due to transcription errors or misinterpretations. However, in more recent documents, the name is consistently recorded as Skalani. In 1320, it was listed as Scalani in the Catasticum Sanctorum Apostolorum among the villages of Paracandia, the region surrounding the city of Heraklion.

The Venetian census of 1583 mentions two settlements: Spiglia Epano with 55 inhabitants and Spiglia Catto with 42 inhabitants, both located in the Pediada province. Francesco Basilicata referred to the village as Scalagni in 1630, and the Turkish census of 1671 recorded it as Iskalani. The Egyptian census of 1834 listed it as Scalara, comprising 10 Christian and 6 Turkish families. By the 1881 census, the population had grown to 321 Christians and 159 Turks.

A Village’s Resilience

In early June 1941, during the German occupation, residents of Skalani faced tragic consequences. German forces carried out executions in the village as retaliation for losses they had suffered during the Battle of Crete.

Administrative and Population Data

Skalani was officially recognized as a settlement in 1925 and designated as the seat of the newly established community of the same name. Under the Kallikratis plan and its subsequent modification, Kleisthenes I, Skalani, along with the settlement of Spilia, constitutes the community of Skalani, which falls under the municipal unit of Heraklion within the Heraklion municipality. The 2011 census recorded a population of 1,180 inhabitants in Skalani.

Population Evolution

The Community of Skalani

The Community of Skalani, situated within the Heraklion Municipality in the Heraklion regional unit of Crete, was established in 1925. Besides Skalani itself, it also encompasses the settlement of Spilia.

Skalani Today

Located at an altitude of 244 meters and approximately 10 kilometers along the Heraklion-Viannos road (bypassing the new national road after the Heraklion Industrial Park), Skalani is part of the Heraklion municipality under the Kallikratis administrative reform.

The village’s name first appears in a notarial document from 1271 and in several subsequent documents up to the first Venetian census of 1577. From this census onwards, it is consistently mentioned in all subsequent censuses, belonging to various municipalities or communities depending on the administrative reforms of each era.

Skalani holds a significant place in the history and tradition of the Heraklion region. It is known for its abundant viticultural and olive products, as well as its hardworking and hospitable inhabitants.

A Place of Resistance and Remembrance

During the Battle of Crete, Skalani was one of the last villages in Crete to cease resistance against the German paratroopers. It also witnessed the first “official” execution of patriots, including Archimandrite Theodossakis and others, in the struggle against the German occupiers.

Unveiling a Hidden Monastery

In 1980, research conducted by Professor Th. Detorakis of the University of Crete in the notarial records of the State Archives of Venice brought to light a forgotten monastery dedicated to Saint Minas in the “Aposami” location in Skalani. This monastery is unique in all of Crete, as far as we know, and according to oral tradition, it also served as the residence of the Metropolitan of Crete for some years.

The information we have about this monastery comes from two legal documents (dated October 14, 1598, and January 14, 1627) from the registers of the notary of Chandax (Heraklion), Nikolaos Negris. Unfortunately, we have no further information about the fate of the monastery after 1627.

It appears that the monastery remained in operation perhaps even shortly after the fall of Chandax in 1669. Today, the ruins of the monastery can be seen at a distance of about 1500 meters east of the village. The toponym “Agios Minas” is still used today, and the piety of the residents maintains a small iconostasis in honor of the Saint among the ruins.

A Thriving Village

The present-day village of Skalani is full of life and development. It offers a mix of traditional and modern shops, including butcher shops, barbershops, hair salons, medical practices, pharmacies, various services, a winery, a raki distillery, and a variety of dining options such as restaurants, tavernas, ouzeris, and meze places. It has become a “small Heraklion” within the Heraklion region.

Cultural Vibrancy

The active cultural association of the village organizes numerous events on a regular and periodic basis. These include a two-day festival celebrating Saint John (August 29th) with a procession of the Saint’s icon accompanied by the municipal band, traditional music, and festivities. Other events include a service and celebration at the chapel of Saint Nicholas in Siganos, the festival of Saint Irene in Spilia (May 5th), the Assumption of Mary festival (August 15th), Carnival events, summer music nights, and more.

Natural Beauty and Exploration

Visitors to the village can explore several areas of natural beauty, such as the Siganos mill and the site of Agios Minas in “Aposami.” They can also enjoy scenic routes like the Karteros Gorge – Skalani route with a recreation area next to the wooden bridge and the pine forest of Saint Irene in Spilia. Additionally, the well-organized “Municipal Vegetable Garden” located in the village is open to the public.