Myrthios, Agios Vassilios

Myrthios is a semi-mountainous village and seat of the homonymous community of the Municipality of Agios Vasileios, in the Regional Unit of Rethymno, Crete.

Etymology

The name “Myrthios” is believed to be derived from the word “myrtia,” meaning myrtle. According to tradition, a large myrtle tree once stood in the center of the village.

Location

Myrthios is situated at an altitude of 218 meters on the southern foothills of Mount Kouroupa. It lies 36 kilometers south-southwest of Rethymno.

History

The village is mentioned by Francesco Barozzi in 1577 as Mirtio di Megapotamo in the province of Agios Vasileios. In the Venetian census of 1583 by Castrofylakas, it is referred to as Mirtio di Mega Potamo with 144 inhabitants. The village is also mentioned by Basilicata in 1630, with the name Mirtio di Mega Potamo.

In the 1834 census, organized by the Egyptians, the village had a purely Christian population of 30 families. During their rule of Crete, the Egyptians discovered coal deposits near Myrthios, but these were not exploited.

In the 1881 census, Myrthios belonged to the municipality of Finikas and had a purely Christian population of 316 inhabitants. In the 1900 census, it had 391 inhabitants and belonged to the same municipality. In the 1920 census, it is reported as the seat of the homonymous rural municipality. In 1925, Myrthios was designated as the seat of the homonymous community, until the Kapodistrian administrative division, when the village was annexed to the Municipality of Finikas.

Points of Interest

• Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior: This single-aisled church features well-preserved frescoes, including notable depictions of the damned or unjust and the Platytera with Jesus in the conch of the sanctuary.
• Watermill: A large 19th-century watermill is located near the village, with its water tower and the miller’s house.

Notable People

• Manos Hatzidakis: The renowned music composer Manos Hatzidakis was of paternal descent from Myrthios. He was born in Xanthi to Georgios Hatzidakis, a lawyer from Myrthios, and Aliki Arvanitidou from Adrianople in East Thrace.

Settlement: Key Points

• Historical References: Francesco Barozzi (1577), Venetian census (1583), Basilicata (1630), Egyptian census (1834)
• Location: 36 km south-southwest of Rethymno, altitude of 218 meters, southern foothills of Mount Kouroupa.
• Historical Significance: Predominantly Christian village throughout its history, once the seat of its own municipality.
• Population Data:

References

• Wikipedia