Nikithianos, Agios Nikolaos

Nikithianos is a village in the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, Lasithi regional unit, Crete, Greece. It is located at an altitude of 220 meters, 12 kilometers west of Agios Nikolaos and 3 kilometers east of Neapoli. The village has a population of 50 residents (2021 census).

Nikithianos is situated on the southern foothills of Agios Antonios hill, where the ancient city of Dreros was located.

History

• Origin: The village was founded after 1822 by a resident of the village of Platanias named Nikitas. Platanias, located near the Kremasta Monastery, was destroyed by the Ottomans during the Greek War of Independence.
• Early Mentions:
  • Nikithianos is not mentioned in the 1834 Egyptian census.
  • The earliest reference to the village appears in the 1842 work “Kritika” by Michael Chourmouzis.
  • 1881: In the 1881 census, Nikithianos was part of the municipality of Neapolis with 184 Christian inhabitants.
• 20th Century:
  • 1920: Nikithianos became the seat of a rural municipality.
  • 1927: It was designated as the seat of its own community.
  • 1997: It was incorporated into the Municipality of Neapolis.

Landmarks

• Mylotopi (Windmill Park): Located on the slope north of the village, the Mylotopi of Nikithianos features a row of stone windmills, some of which are well-preserved. Both types of Cretan windmills, the “xeotrocharis” (circular) and the “axetrocharis” (oblong), can be found here. Unfortunately, some of the windmills were destroyed during the construction of the National Road, which passes through the Mylotopi.

Village Key Points

• Historical References:
  • 1842 “Kritika” by Michael Chourmouzis
  • 1881 census with 184 inhabitants
• Location: Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, Lasithi regional unit, Crete, Greece. 12 km from Agios Nikolaos, 3 km from Neapoli.
• Altitude: 220 meters
• Historical Significance: Traditional village with well-preserved windmills.
• Population: