Melesses, Archanes – Asterousia

Melesses (officially: αι Μελέσαι) is a village in the Municipality of Archanes-Asterousia, Heraklion regional unit, Crete, Greece. It is located at an altitude of 380 meters, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and flower gardens, approximately 22 kilometers from Heraklion city on the road to Viannos.

The village has a primary school, kindergarten, a Gymnasium (lower secondary school), and a unified Lyceum (upper secondary school). The Gymnasium was founded by a Greek expatriate, Konstantinos Maliotis, a native of Melesses, as a gift to his birthplace. There is also an active cultural association in the village that works to preserve local traditions and customs.

History

One of the earliest references to Melesses appears in a 1271 document as “Mellexe.” In contracts from 1280 and 1281, it is found as “Melesse” and “Micri” or “Micre Melesse.” The village is mentioned in the 1583 census as two separate settlements: “Melesses Catto” and “Melesses Apano” with 217 and 192 inhabitants, respectively.

The name of the village is thought to be related to beekeeping (“melissa” means “bee” in Greek), suggesting that Melesses was a place known for honey production in the past. Beekeeping was an important activity in Crete during the Second Byzantine period.

Landmarks

• Kastelos: East of the village, on a two-peaked hill called “Kastelos,” are the ruins of a medieval fortress. Nearby are the remains of a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is believed that a village named “Castello del Betto” was located here, which is mentioned in the 1583 census of Castrophylacas with 37 inhabitants.
• Churches:
  • Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos: The main church of the village.
  • Other Churches: Agios Georgios, Agia Paraskevi, Agios Antonios, Agia Pelagia, and Agios Ioannis.
  • Byzantine Church Ruins: Remains of a 12th-century Byzantine church are located in the village cemetery.

Filisia

Filisia is a smaller village that belongs to the Melesses community. It is located at an altitude of 340 meters and had 68 residents in 2011. The inhabitants are originally from Axos and the community of Axo in Cappadocia, who settled in Filisia after the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1924.

Village Key Points

• Historical References:
  • 1271 document as “Mellexe.”
  • 1280 and 1281 contracts as “Melesse” and “Micri” or “Micre Melesse.”
  • 1583 census as “Melesses Catto” with 217 inhabitants and “Melesses Apano” with 192 inhabitants.
• Location: Municipality of Archanes-Asterousia, Heraklion regional unit, Crete, Greece. 22 km from Heraklion city on the road to Viannos.
• Altitude: 380 meters
• Historical Significance: Medieval fortress (Kastelos), possible link to beekeeping in the past.
• Population:

• Current Status: Active village with a primarily agricultural economy (olive oil and wine production).