Arkalochori, Minoa – Pediada

Arkalochori is a semi-mountainous town and the historical seat of the Minoa Pediada Municipality in the Heraklion regional unit of Crete, Greece. Situated at an elevation of 425 meters, it lies near the foothills of the Lasithi Mountains, approximately 9.4 kilometers from Evangelismos and 30 kilometers from Heraklion.

Infrastructure and Amenities

The town has several essential facilities, including a police station, post office, fire station, ambulance service (EKAV), banks, and a health center.

History and Etymology

A common misconception is that the town’s name derives from the Cretan word “arkalos,” meaning badger, due to the many small caves and holes in the area where these animals seek shelter. However, place names ending in “-chori” typically have the surname of the first settlers as the first part of the compound word. A document from 1394 in the Venetian archives mentions the toponym “Arcolecorio,” linking the name to the Arcoleos family. Another theory suggests the name comes from a large estate belonging to the Byzantine military leader Arcoleon, with the name evolving from “Arcoleochori” to “Arkalochori” for easier pronunciation or due to a misunderstanding.

In Venetian censuses, the town is referred to as “Arcaloghori” and was part of the Belvedere castellania. In 1583, it had 160 inhabitants. The 1881 census recorded 109 Christian and 103 Turkish residents, and it was designated the seat of its own municipality. Arkalochori subsequently experienced significant growth, with its population increasing tenfold from 1900 to 1981, when it reached 2,482 inhabitants. It was also the seat of the Monofatsi province.

In 2008, in response to the municipality’s efforts to change the town’s name, a committee was formed to preserve it.

Recent Events

Arkalochori was the epicenter of a devastating earthquake on September 27, 2021. The earthquake caused extensive damage to buildings, including the collapse of the Church of Prophet Elias on the hill overlooking the town, resulting in the death of one worker. A temporary housing settlement was established, and as of 2023, around 700 people were still living in containers.

Population Data

Administrative Status

Arkalochori was officially recognized as a settlement in 1925 and became the seat of its own community. In 1994, it was designated the seat of the Arkalochori Municipality. Since 2010, it has been the historical seat of the Minoa Pediada Municipality. According to the 2021 census, the community of Arkalochori, which includes several other settlements, has a population of 14,164.

Economy

The town’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, small-scale industry, and trade. The main agricultural products are olive oil, raisins, and cereals. Arkalochori serves as a commercial hub for the surrounding villages in the Minoa Pediada Municipality.

Education

Arkalochori has one municipal daycare center, three kindergartens, and two primary schools. There is also one high school, one general Lyceum (upper secondary school), and one Vocational Lyceum (EPAL), which serves students from the entire municipality and neighboring areas. Due to the 2021 earthquake, three schools with 700 students are still housed in temporary container classrooms.

Transportation

The KTEL Lasithiou-Herakleiou bus service operates routes to all the villages in the province and other major cities in Greece.

The New Heraklion International Airport, the second-largest airport in Greece, is currently under construction in the area. It is expected to replace the existing Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” in early 2027 and will serve the entire island of Crete.

Points of Interest

• Church of Archangel Michael: Located outside the town on the road to Archontiko, this church features interesting frescoes from the 14th-15th centuries. It sustained damage in the 2021 earthquake.
• Cave of Prophet Elias: Situated at the Prophet Elias or Sarantavga location, this small cave was once a place of worship. Archaeological excavations have uncovered numerous bronze objects, including double axes, many decorated with gold, and the longest sword (1.05 meters) from prehistoric Greece. The cave was likely used for worship from 2500 BC, possibly dedicated to a war deity, as the offerings are mainly weapons. It might have also served as a bronze workshop, as pieces of bronze for processing have been discovered. In ancient times, the cave’s entrance collapsed, probably due to an earthquake, preserving the artifacts found within.
• Folk Art Collection: Arkalochori houses a notable private collection of folk art belonging to Dr. St. Koutentakis.

Current Status

Arkalochori is a growing town with a focus on agriculture, trade, and crafts. It hosts the largest agricultural and commercial exhibition in Crete annually at its Exhibition Center. While most houses are not built in the traditional architectural style, the old churches are worth visiting. The broader region holds archaeological interest, with a Minoan city and a small palace discovered at Galatiani Kefala. Additionally, the Cave of Prophet Elias above Arkalochori served as a place of worship in ancient times, and traces of a Hellenistic settlement have been found nearby.