Sempronas, Platanias

Sempronas is a village located in the White Mountains of Crete, within the municipality of Platanias, Chania regional unit. It sits at an altitude of 620 meters on a small plateau and is situated approximately 38 kilometers southwest of Chania town. The village is characterized by its abundant water sources, with around 80 natural springs, the most significant of which is located in Kambi, an area known for its natural beauty and ancient plane trees.

The economy of Sempronas is primarily based on agriculture and livestock farming. The main agricultural products include chestnuts, olive oil, dairy products, honey, apples, and wine.

Historical Overview

Early History: While the exact origins of Sempronas are unclear, there is evidence of human activity in the area dating back to the early Christian period (4th-7th centuries AD). In the Prasiana area, within a rural property, a built tomb of the early Christian period was excavated. Inside, skeletal remains and a clay wine jug were found.

Venetian Era: Sempronas is mentioned in Venetian records as early as 1577 by Francesco Barozzi (as “Sembrona”), though there is some discrepancy regarding its administrative affiliation. While Barozzi places it in the province of Kissamos, the Venetian census of 1583 by Castrofylaka lists it as “Gavumera Sembrino” within the province of Kydonia. Francesco Basilicata, in 1630, again refers to the village as “Sembrona” in the province of Kissamos. The chronicle of Antonio Trivan, however, places it in the province of Kydonia. It is possible that Sempronas was situated on the border between these two provinces, leading to variations in its administrative designation.

Ottoman Era: The Egyptian census of 1834 lists the village as “Sembronas.” In 1881, it belonged to the municipality of Lakki and had a mixed population of 69 Christians and 70 Muslims. By 1900, the population had grown to 102.

20th Century: In 1920, Sempronas belonged to the rural municipality of Nea Roumata. In 1925, it was attached to the community of Prases. However, in 1930, Sempronas became the seat of its own community, a status it retained until the Kapodistrian administrative reform of 1997. At that time, it was incorporated into the municipality of Mousouri. In 2011, with the creation of the new municipality of Platanias, Sempronas once again became a community within this larger administrative unit.

Population Data

Points of Interest

Churches: Sempronas has three main churches:

• Agios Georgios: The central church of the village, dedicated to Saint George. It was built in 1910 and is located in Mesochori.
• Agios Ioannis: A single-nave church, possibly dating back to the Venetian period, dedicated to Saint John. It houses frescoes, though they are in poor condition. This church is located in the Bombolia neighborhood.
• Agios Ioannis at Apopigadi: A church dedicated to Saint John, built in 1873, located on the top of Apopigadi hill. It celebrates on the feast day of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Near this church is the spring known as “Gitemeni Vrysi” (Haunted Spring).

Neighborhoods: The village is composed of several small neighborhoods:

• Drakouliana: Named after a person called Drakoulakis or Drakoulis.
• Mesochori: Meaning “middle village,” it is located in the center of the village.
• Saliana: Named after a Turk named Sali.
• Bombolia: Named after the Bombolakis family.
• Perachori: Meaning “outer village,” it is on the edge of the community. Its original name was Boufiana, after a Turk named Boufos, and later Micheliana, after the Michelis family.
• Seli: Named for its saddle-like shape (“seli” means saddle).
• Vrysia: Meaning “place of springs,” it is the newest neighborhood, established in 1965.

Other Points of Interest:

• Kastania tou Venizelou (Venizelos’ Chestnut Tree): In Mesochori, there is a chestnut tree known as the “Kastania tou Venizelou.” Eleftherios Venizelos, a prominent Greek statesman, baptized a child in the village and was hosted for a meal under this tree.
• Gitemeni Vrysi: The location of the Agios Ioannis church at Apopigadi is considered sacred because, according to local tradition, Agios Ioannis (one of the 99 Holy Fathers) passed through the area, drank water from the spring, and stayed in a small cave there. The spring flows from this cave.

Local Legends and Traditions

Several legends and traditions are associated with Sempronas:

• Massacre at Saliana: It is said that during the Ottoman period, Turks led by Sali (who gave his name to the Saliana neighborhood) came to Sempronas seeking reprisals. They killed all the villagers – men, women, and children – and threw their bodies into a well. Seventy of the victims were reportedly brought to the church of Agios Georgios and buried there by residents of neighboring villages. It is said that one girl survived the massacre but was later driven to madness. Bones are still found around the church to this day.
• Legend of the Cherry Tree: Outside the church of Agios Ioannis, there was once a cherry tree. According to legend, a Turkish child climbed the tree to eat cherries but was then unable to climb down. The Turks gathered, but they could not get the child down. The child’s mother asked Maria Bombolakaina what to do, and she advised her to make an offering to Agios Ioannis. The mother donated the land where the cherry tree stood, and the child was then able to climb down.
• Legend of the Turkish Horseman: Another legend tells of a Turkish horseman who fired his pistol at the roof of the church door, where some plates were embedded. The bullet ricocheted and killed him.
• Vision of Stylianos Sifakis: The church dedicated to the Nativity of Saint John at Apopigadi was built in 1873 by Stylianos Sifakis from Agia Irini in Selino. He had a dream that a church should be built at that spot because the saint’s bones were buried there. They excavated the site and reportedly found the bones.
• Dispute over the Church: The church at Apopigadi became a source of contention between the provinces of Selino and Kydonia. Although it was built by a man from Selino, it was located on land belonging to Sempronas in Kydonia. Around 1926, Markos Bombolakis, Zacharias Bombolakis, and other villagers, armed with weapons, prevented the priest from Agia Irini in Selino from conducting services there. From then on, the church remained under the jurisdiction of Sempronas in Kydonia.
• Klidonas Festival: The feast of Saint John on June 24th, the day of his birth, is known as the “Klidonas” festival. This festival was once celebrated in Sempronas, as in many parts of Crete. During the festival, bonfires were lit, and wreaths from May Day were burned. People would then collect “silent water” (water drawn without speaking), place it in containers, and throw various objects and fruits into it. Those skilled in composing mantinades (Cretan rhyming couplets) would recite a mantinada and draw out an object, which was called the “klidonas.” They would then jump over the bonfires. This custom ceased to be practiced in the village after 1940.

Village Key Points

• Historical References: Documented in Venetian records as early as 1577. Mentioned in various historical documents and censuses.
• Location: Chania regional unit, Crete, Greece. Approximately 38 km southwest of Chania town.
• Altitude: 620 meters above sea level.
• Historical Significance: Evidence of early Christian and Venetian-era settlement. Features several churches with historical and legendary associations

References

• ellinismos.gr
• Wikipedia