Atsipades, Gortyna

Atsipades is a village located in the Municipality of Gortyna in the Heraklion Regional Unit, on the island of Crete, Greece.

It is situated on a hill at an altitude of 460 meters, offering views of the Messara Plain. The village is part of the Ano Akria community, which also includes the villages of Ano Akria and Kato Akria.

The origin of the name “Atsipades” is uncertain. One theory from the village with the same name, Atsipades located in Rethymno, suggests it stems from the word “tsipa” and without (a)tsipa, meaning “shameless” or “without shame”, possibly referring to the actions of Turkish residents during the Ottoman period. However, the name is documented as early as the Venetian era, suggesting an earlier origin.

Churches

• Church of Agia Aikaterini
• Church of Agia Paraskevi
• Chapel of Afendi Christou

Settlement: Key Points

• Location: South-central Heraklion Regional Unit, on the slopes of “Vigla” peak.
• Historical Significance: Mentioned in Venetian records as Azupades de Acra.
• Population Data:

References

• Wikipedia – Atsipades
• Wikipedia – Ano Akria
• Original Crete