Kouses, Phaistos

Kouses is a village situated in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It functions as the seat of the eponymous community within the Municipality of Phaistos. Previously, the village fell under the Kainourio province within the Heraklion Prefecture.

Location and Setting

Kouses is located at an elevation of 130 meters on the northern foothills of Mount Pyrgos (elevation 228 meters), part of the Asterousia Mountains. The village offers a panoramic vista of the Kato Messara plain. Its distance from Heraklion is approximately 61 kilometers, and it lies in close proximity to Phaistos.

Demographics

The primary occupation of the village’s residents is agriculture. The village celebrates its feast day on July 25th, commemorating the Dormition of Saint Anna.

Historical Significance

Kouses holds historical significance as it served as a fiefdom of the notable Kourmoulis family, which included the well-known figure Michalis Kourmoulis, during the Ottoman occupation. The Kourmoulis family were Crypto-Christians, meaning they secretly practiced Christianity despite outwardly adhering to Islam. As per local tradition, a clandestine school operated in Kouses, with a teacher named Spagos, whose name was subsequently given to the Spagouliana neighborhood.

Landmarks

Two towers belonging to the Kourmoulis family, equipped with embrasures, still stand in Kouses. Within one of these towers lies the church (catacomb) of Agia Pelagia (Saint Pelagia), where Crypto-Christians would gather in secret to worship. Other churches in the village include those dedicated to Agios Antonios (Saint Anthony), Agioi Pantes (All Saints), and Agios Georgios (Saint George). Additionally, there is the church of the Dormition of Agia Anna (Saint Anna).