Atsipades, Agios Vassilios

Atsipades (Ατσιπάδες) is a small village located in the Rethymno regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece.

Location

The village is situated in the western part of the Rethymno regional unit, on the northern slopes of the peak “Kouroupa” (984 m). It lies to the west of the village of Koxare.

History

The village of Atsipades dates back to the Venetian era (1212-1669) when it was inhabited by wealthy Venetians. Following the Daskalogiannis revolt in 1770, these inhabitants converted to Islam and became fervent persecutors of Christians. One notable figure from this period was the infamous Janissary Arabis, known for his heinous acts. After 1898, he returned to Turkey. The Turkish inhabitants of Atsipades were known for their cruelty, earning the village the name “Atsipades,” meaning “shameless” or “without shame.”

Historical records mention the village as early as 1577 with 291 inhabitants. In 1881, it was part of the Municipality of Lampis and had 236 Turkish residents and no Christians. By 1900, the Turkish population had dwindled to 47 as they began to leave the area.

After 1910, Christians from neighboring villages began settling in Atsipades. By 1920, the village, now part of the Koxare community, had 125 Christian residents. The population peaked at 207 in 1940 but declined in the following decades. In 1981, only 89 inhabitants remained.

In 1978, due to landslides, many residents of Atsipades relocated to the neighboring area of Pale (also known as Mpale).

Culture and Traditions

The residents of Atsipades are described as religious, hardworking, and fond of music and entertainment. The village has several churches, reflecting the inhabitants’ strong religious beliefs. Despite its small size, Atsipades has a history of skilled musicians and a vibrant cultural life.

Family and Social Life

Following the departure of the Turkish population, families from neighboring villages began to settle in Atsipades in the early 20th century. These families included the Vizirgianakis, Giannisakis, Daskalakis, Diomantarakis, Effentakis, Karpouzakis, Mamalakis, Mavromatakis, Nikoloudakis, Panagiotakis, Pavlakis, Perantonakis, Perogiannakis, Papadogiannis, Tsontos, Chalkidakis, and Christofarakis families.

Family structures in Atsipades have traditionally been large, with some families having as many as 13 children. Children addressed their parents as “Mpa” or “Baba” (father) and “Mana” (mother). Grandparents were called “Pappoús” (grandfather) and “Giagia” (grandmother) regardless of whether they were paternal or maternal relatives. Siblings addressed each other by their names, and there were specific terms for elder brothers.

Marriages typically occurred within the village or with individuals from neighboring communities. The groom’s family often provided a house as part of the dowry, and the couple usually resided there after marriage. In some cases, if a family had a house but no sons, they might take in a “sogambros” (a groom who lives with his wife’s family).

Inheritance practices involved the division of property among sons, with daughters receiving a dowry or inheritance equal to or greater than their brothers’ share. The distribution of wealth was often done through wills or, in some cases, by drawing lots to ensure fairness.

Settlement: Key Points

• Historical References: Mentioned in records as early as 1577.

• Location: Western Rethymno regional unit, on the slopes of “Kouroupa” peak.

• Historical Significance: Inhabited by Venetians who converted to Islam and became known for their harsh treatment of Christians.

• Population Data:

  Year	Population	Notes
  1881	236	Muslims
  1900	47	Muslims
  1961	166
  1971	148
  1981	89
  1991	71
  2001	70
  2011	30
  2021	27

• Current Status: A small village with a declining population.

References

• Wikipedia
• RethNea
• Academy of Athens repository