Voulismeni, Agios Nikolaos

Voulismeni is a village and seat of the namesake community in the municipality of Agios Nikolaos, in the regional unit of Lasithi, Crete, Greece.

Etymology

The name “Voulismeni” is believed to originate from the unstable and landslide-prone terrain of the village. Another theory suggests the name was given after the defeat of revolutionaries in the area by the Venetians during the Psaro-Milingoi rebellion in 1347. A third theory posits that the name comes from an ancient settlement buried beneath the modern village.

Historical References

The earliest written mention of the village is in a 1247 document, which refers to deserted estates of the Diocese of Chersonissos in the village of Voulismeni. During the Venetian period, Voulismeni was one of the largest villages in Mirabello province. Venetian documents from 1577, 1583, and 1630 mention the village as “Vulismeni.” In the Ottoman census of 1671, the village was taxed with 100 Kharatsia.

In the 1881 census, Voulismeni belonged to the municipality of Neapolis and had 602 Christian and 68 Turkish inhabitants. In the 1900 census, it had 484 inhabitants and still belonged to Neapolis. In 1925, it became the seat of the community of Voulismeni until the Kapodistrian administrative division in 1997, when it was incorporated into the municipality of Neapolis. With the Kallikratis Program, Voulismeni again became the seat of the community, this time within the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, which encompasses the entire former province of Mirabello.

Religious Sites

Voulismeni has several notable religious sites:

• Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary: A single-nave vaulted church, characterized by its large dimensions and pointed arch. It is mentioned in a 1635 census of churches.

• Church of Agia Aikaterini: A single-nave vaulted church with a decorated templon. The apse of the sanctuary bears the inscribed date 1580.

• Church of Agioi Eirini and Pelagia: A two-aisled church.

• Church of Agios Ioannis: A single-nave church.

• Church of Agios Nikolaos: Located near the southeastern edge of the village.

• Church of Sotiras Christos: Built in 1954 on the site of an older two-aisled church from the Venetian period.

• Church of Agios Nikitas: The cemetery church, built on the site of a namesake church dating back to the Venetian era.

Vigli

The Vigli area, located above the village at an altitude of 400 meters, offers panoramic views of the Mirabello valley. There was an old monastery known as Panagia Vigliotissa, of which only the church remains today. The inscription mentions the year 1605 and the nun Magdalini Strianopoula, likely referring to a renovation. The church has frescoes dating back to the early 14th century. The Vigli area also contains a water spring, a water mill, Roman-era water tanks, and remnants of an ancient acropolis and tombs.

Near Vigli is the Church of Agios Konstantinos, a Catholic church belonging to a now-destroyed Venetian monastery. The single-nave vaulted church bears the date 1545 on its lintel and has a buttress on the north side.

Church of Agios Onoufrios

Located on a hill north of the village, the Church of Agios Onoufrios is a single-nave vaulted church with interior frescoes. Based on its blind arches and ceramic decoration, the church dates back to the 13th century. Abandoned buildings next to the church belonged to a monastery, which had a fortified character. The monastery and church are not mentioned in the 1635 census.

Population

Settlement: Key Points

• Location: 1.5 km west of Neapoli, Lasithi, Crete, Greece.

• Etymology: Possibly from the unstable terrain, the defeat of revolutionaries in 1347, or an ancient settlement buried beneath the village.

• Historical Significance: Mentioned in Venetian and Ottoman documents, indicating its long-standing presence in the region.

• Population: See table above.

• Current Status: A village and seat of the community of Voulismeni in the municipality of Agios Nikolaos.

References

• Wikipedia