Malia, Chersonissos

Malia is a modern town located 34 km east of Heraklion, the capital of Crete. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and important archaeological site.

History

Until the 1940s, Malia was a small village where the inhabitants were mainly engaged in the cultivation of bananas and vegetables. It was a picturesque village in a landscape with stone windmills used for irrigating the orchards, adding a lively touch to the surroundings. Today, Malia has experienced rapid tourist development, with luxurious hotels, restaurants, and tourist shops flooding the area, attracting thousands of tourists every summer.

The main road, Eleftheriou Venizelou, seems to divide the town in two. The old town of Malia is surrounded by olive groves and the slopes of Mount Selena, while the newer tourist part of the town stretches along the northern coast. The old town is characterized as picturesque and traditional, preserving elements of Cretan tradition with beautiful houses adorned with bougainvilleas, narrow alleys, churches, and taverns where visitors can taste traditional flavors accompanied by live music and enjoy peaceful walks. On the other hand, the coastal part of Malia is full of restaurants, shops, and countless bars and clubs that are bustling with life and activity from the wild entertainment of young tourists during the summer season.

A landmark of Malia is the archaeological site located 3 km east of the town. There lies one of the most important monuments of the Minoan period, the Palace of Malia, which is the third largest palace of Minoan Crete, built near the sea. Northeast of the palace, the large Protopalatial necropolis was excavated, with the most significant part being the large burial complex at the site “Chrysolakkos,” where the famous golden pendant with the two bees was found, now exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.

Geography

Malia is situated on the coastal plain formed at the northern foothills of Mount Selena. It is from this location that the area got its name: ομαλία / Malia, meaning flat area. The name is preserved in its original linguistic form in the toponym “Oi Omales.”

Attractions

The area boasts several attractions, including historical churches and areas of natural beauty. It is worth visiting the church of Panagia Galatiani and admiring its famous frescoes. Other notable churches include those of Agios Ioannis Prodromos (Saint John the Baptist), Taxiarches (Archangels Michael and Gabriel), Agios Dimitrios and Evangelismos (Annunciation), Agia Pelagia (Saint Margaret), and Agios Georgios (Saint George). The church of Agios Georgios has many old frescoes, and tradition says it was built to protect those who spent the night there from the fairies, which, according to belief, appear in the area.

The beach of Malia stretches in front of the town. It is crowded, has fine golden sand and crystal-clear blue waters. It is a well-organized beach with many options for water sports and a length of 6 km. Opposite the beach of Malia, there is a small islet called Afentis Christos (Lord Christ), on which the church of Metamorphosis tou Sotiros (Transfiguration of the Savior) is located, perhaps the most characteristic scene of Malia. For those who cannot stand the crowds, there is a large sandy beach located further east, very close to the archaeological site of the Palace of Malia. This beach is known to the locals as Potamos (River), as a small river flows into its eastern part, and it is located next to the important wetland of Malia.

Village Key Points

• Historical References: Malia was first mentioned in 1583 as “villa di Maglia” with 620 inhabitants. In 1881, it had 800 Christian inhabitants.
• Location: Malia is located on the northern coast of Crete, 34 km east of Heraklion.
• Historical Significance: The Palace of Malia, the third largest Minoan palace in Crete, is located near Malia.
• Population data over the years:

• Current Status: Malia is a popular tourist destination, known for its beaches, nightlife, and archaeological site.