Peza, Archanes – Asterousia

Peza is a village in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It is the seat of both the Peza community and the municipality of Archanes-Asterousia. Located in the center of the Peza valley, the village is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves at an altitude of 310 meters.

Economy

The residents of Peza are primarily engaged in agriculture, particularly the cultivation of grapes and olives. The area is known for producing high-quality olive oil with a protected designation of origin (PDO), as well as PDO wine.

Many residents work in construction, tourism services, and commerce. While table grapes were once exported, the focus has shifted to wine and olive oil production. These products are standardized in industrial facilities managed by the “Peza Union” (Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Peza), which comprises nineteen primary cooperatives representing 3,200 wine and olive oil producers.

Infrastructure

Peza has a well-developed infrastructure, including a regional medical center, a Citizen Service Center (KEP), a Children’s Creative Activities Center (KDAP), a nursery school, a bank, shops, and tavernas. A new town hall is currently under construction.

The village has historically been a transportation hub for the region, serving as a stopover on the national road from Heraklion to Arkalochori and Viannos.

Landmarks

• Church of Agios Nikolaos: The main church in the village.
• Church of the Eisόdia of the Theotokos: An older church in the village.
• Church of Agios Konstantinos: A Byzantine church. Excavations near this church have revealed built medieval wine presses.
• Town Hall: Housed in a building that formerly served as a Venetian church, a Muslim mosque, and a primary school.

History

• Peza is a very old settlement. It is mentioned in documents from 1212 as Piscia, in a document by the Doge of Venice, Pietro Ziani, confirming the grant of several villages to the monastery of Panagia of Sinai from the Byzantine era.
• The village also appears in wine sale contracts from 1271 in the Ducal archive of Chandax (Heraklion).
• The Venetian census of 1583 records Peza (as Pesá) in the province of Pediada with 214 inhabitants.
• In the Egyptian census of 1834, Peza had 5 Christian and 5 Turkish families. The 1881 census recorded 157 Christians and 34 Turks.
• During the German occupation in World War II, Peza served as a headquarters for the occupying forces.
• Following the establishment of the municipality of Nikos Kazantzakis under the Kapodistrias program, Peza became its seat. With the Kallikratis program, Peza became the seat of the municipality of Archanes-Asterousia.

Etymology

According to local tradition, the name Peza originated during the Ottoman period. It is said that an Ottoman official forced all riders passing through the area to dismount and then flogged them. This practice led people to travel through the village on foot (“peza” in Greek), giving the village its name.

Village Key Points

• Historical References: Documents from 1212, 1271; Venetian censuses (1583); Ottoman records (1834, 1881)
• Location: Heraklion regional unit, Crete, Greece
• Historical Significance: Long history dating back to at least the 13th century; played a role in Venetian and Ottoman administration; center of agricultural production.
• Population data over the years:

• Current Status: A thriving village, seat of the local community and the municipality.