Apladiana, Mylopotamos

Apladiana is a village in the Rethymno regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It is situated at an altitude of 260m on the southern slopes of Mount Kouloukonas, about 40km southeast of Rethymno town. The village is part of the Mylopotamos municipality. A newer settlement, Kambos Apladianon, has developed along the old national road connecting Heraklion and Rethymno.

Name

The name “Apladiana” is believed to be derived from the surname “Apladas,” which appears in documents dating back to the 14th century.

History

Apladiana is not mentioned in Venetian censuses, suggesting it may be a relatively newer village. In the 1881 census, it had 57 inhabitants and belonged to the municipality of Garazo. By the 1900 census, the population had increased to 153 (including the nearby settlement of Cheliana), still under the same municipality. In 1920, Apladiana was part of the Cheliana community.

In 1925, Apladiana and Cheliana were annexed to the Klepsimia community (later Doxaro). However, in 1935, Apladiana became the seat of its own community.

Landmarks

• Church of Agia Pelagia: This is the main church of the village.
• Other Churches: Apladiana also has the churches of Agia Paraskevi and Agioi Tessaron Martyron.
• Roman Tomb: A built, box-shaped Roman tomb dating back to the 3rd century AD has been excavated in the village.

Population

Village Key Points

• Location: 40km southeast of Rethymno town, Crete, at an altitude of 260m.
• Historical Significance: Likely a newer village compared to others in the region, with evidence of Roman presence.
• Population: See table above.
• Current Status: A small village serving as the seat of the Apladiana community within the Mylopotamos municipality.