Anogia is a mountain village of the Rethymnon Regional Unit of Crete . They are located 36 km west of Heraklion and 52 km southeast of Rethymnon . They are built on the highest mountain of Crete , Psiloritis , at an altitude of 750 meters.
The Caesars
Sisarha is the first settlement you will encounter, heading from Heraklion, Crete to Anogia . It is a small village with many old buildings. You will notice the white old church of Agia Paraskevi and a beautiful old fountain. Also, in the small square of the village there is a monument in honor of the 31 men who were executed during the German occupation. Sisarha is essentially the gateway to Anogia .
The daily life of the people of Anogia
The residents of Anogia are mainly engaged in animal husbandry and are very hospitable. Also, women continue to weave traditional Cretan textiles of unsurpassed quality, which you will find in many shops in the area. Also, here you will see genuine Cretans , who still wear traditional Cretan costumes and twist their mustaches. The villagers enjoy every moment and do not hesitate to express their joy with partying, dancing and shooting in the air. However, if someone offends them, they can show their weapons, but this time not to celebrate, by shooting, some joyful event!
Anogia is famous for its great contribution to culture. Great Cretan lyre players and singers come from Anogia, led by Nikos Xylouris , whose house is located in Perachori . In addition, if you are in the village, it is worth drinking your coffee in the cafes of the village and try the traditional Cretan cuisine in its taverns, enjoying the company of the kind-hearted Anogeians . At the same time, you will notice that there are many farm cars on the streets of the area.
The Holocaust of Anogia
Sunday, August 13, 1944. The Nazis encircle the Anogia . They are looking to find guerrillas, resistance fighters. They search, ask the residents, they do not get an answer and the decision-order of the commander of the Fortress of Crete , General Miller , becomes immediately executable. Burning and leveling of Anogia , a holocaust that lasted until September 5 simply because, as stated in the order:
“Because the city of Anogia is the center of English espionage in Crete and because the people of Anogia carried out the murder of Sergeant Geni-Gave and his bodyguard and because the people of Anogia carried out the sabotage of Damasta, because The guerrillas of the various resistance groups find asylum and protection in Anogia, and because the kidnappers also passed through Anogia with General Von Kraipe, using Anogia as a transit station, we order them to level their ranks and execute them immediately. of this at a distance of one kilometer … »
The Anogia people say with their mantinades: “Anogia is the trunk, the leaves are the others, and whoever forgets its roots is a great shame”. The local tradition must continue, You were born in Anogia, do not erase your trace. Leave the clouds, let the sun shine, because I can not shield it ..your gloom again. “
The Ideo Cave Cave
The Ideo Cave cave is located in Psiloritis , at an altitude of 1538 meters, is accessible and easily accessible. Its name – “Ideon Andron” – means the cave of Ida , meaning Psiloritis . Every year, especially during the summer months, it is visited by thousands of tourists.
Although it has no special speleological value, it has enormous archaeological and cultural value, as, according to legend, the most important god of antiquity, Zeus , grew up in it.
The cave has an area of 800 square meters and has a large central hall. It is divided internally into three chambers and the sanctuary. The access to the chambers is made after a steep downhill slope, while in some places a small stone decoration is observed.
Although near its entrance, which is slightly downhill, there are three imposing stalactites, the cave is not particularly impressive geologically, as it lacks decoration.
However, the Ideo Cave was considered the most important cave of Crete due to the worship activity that took place inside it and its connection with the upbringing of Zeus . Archaeological excavations have confirmed that during the Minoan Era, the Idea was the largest and one of the most important cult caves in Crete. In addition, to this day, 70 meters from the entrance of the cave dominates the large rectangular altar of the ceremonies of antiquity. Also, under the cave has been found an ancient building, one of the rooms of which was excavated, bringing to light pieces of pottery from the late Roman times .
Finally, the philosophers Plato and Pythagoras , and the religious teacher, prophet and seer Epimenides were initiated in Ideo Andro strong>, as in antiquity it was a place of initiation. However, there are no historical references to the mysteries that took place in the cave, as those who participated in them were called to hide them from the public.
The church of the Holy Cross in Psiloritis
In the proud mountain range of Ida or, as most people call it, in the mountain of Psiloritis , you will see the stone church of the Holy Cross . It is located at an altitude of 2456 meters, on the highest peak in all of Crete .
The church of the Holy Cross is built with simple mountain stones without any binding material. That is, it has been made with the technique that the shepherds for centuries now make in Psiloritis the mitata , that is, the stone-built houses for cheese-making.
Since ancient times thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to the top of the sacred mountain to deposit their offerings. Of course, the view from the highest peak of the island is unique, while most months of the year it is covered with snow.
The Nida Plateau
The Nida Plateau is one of the largest in Crete and is located at an altitude of 1400 meters, in the heart of Psiloritis ( Already ). Its name comes from the words “Stin Ida” , which means “in Psiloritis”. The surrounding peaks often remain snowy until the beginning of summer, creating a wonderful landscape. If you want to reach the plateau, you will follow a passable road that starts from the picturesque Anogia . At one end of the plateau you will see a large stone sculpture, the Peace Rebel , which is reminiscent of the resistance of the Cretans during the German Occupation . Although the sculpture looks like an angel, its wings symbolize the blood of the fighters. Anogia and the surrounding villages were stained with blood when the Germans executed those who did not manage to escape to the mountains and leveled their villages.
Around the mountains you will notice small stone structures with a dome, in which the shepherds used to pour their milk and make their delicious cheese, since they did not have the means to transport the fresh milk to their villages every day. The mitata , ie the stone houses for cheese making, are a special example of architectural ability. Although they are made only of stones and without any mud, even at such a high altitude they maintain a constant temperature. Especially the mitata of Nida are considered to be the best, if not the best, samples of this traditional architecture.
The House-Museum of Nikos Xylouris in Perachori
In the square of the neighborhood Perachori of Anogia you will meet the humble home of “Archangel of Crete” , the most famous lyre player of the island, of the late Nikos Xylouris . The house-museum is essentially a small room where there are heirlooms and photos of the great “Psaronikos” and which was designed by the sister of Zoumboulias , who died in 2016. Thousands Greeks, who loved the voice of the artist, have visited his home in Anogia . Of course, you too can enter the home of your favorite and unforgettable musician and see his personal belongings.
The Personality and Life of Nikos Xylouris
He was born on July 7, 1936 in Anogia and experienced the violence of the war very early, after the Germans razed the village in 1944 and all its inhabitants were forced to leave. After his release, he returned with his family to Anogia , they rebuilt their house and lived through very difficult poor years.
Nikos , when he grew up, left the village and went to school in Heraklion . Soon, however, the lyre won him over and he left school. At the age of 10 he acquired his first lyre and apprenticed with Leonidas Klados , one of the best teachers of Cretan music. At the same time, he started playing at parties all over Crete .
In 1957 he falls in love with a girl, Ourania Melambianaki . They are stolen in 1958 and have two children, George and Rinio. His music career is on the rise and in 1958 he recorded his first album with the company “Odeon” for little money. The album is a success. At the same time, Cretan music began to emerge timidly from the borders of Crete . After a while, he recorded other successful albums and became popular all over Crete . In 1966 he took part in an international folk music competition in San Remo of Italy , where he played the lyre and won first prize. Xylouris now belongs to the famous artists of Greece .
In 1971 he collaborated and appeared with the composer Giannis Markopoulos and his voice became a symbol of resistance against the junta. In addition, during those years, he sang with the lyricist, composer and musician Thanassis Gaifillia in music scenes of Plaka and in concerts all over the country. In the summer of 1973 he sang in the play “Our big circus” starring Kostas Kazakos and Jenny Karezi , one of the leading performances that have ever been played in Greece !
However, on February 8, 1980, death comes to silence the most legendary voice of Crete . Nikos dies young, 44 years old, after first fighting a big battle with cancer. A vast sea of people accompanies him to his funeral! Throughout his artistic career, Xylouris remained humble, low-key, true and very close to the world. The people, for their part, understood his ethos and adored him!
The Anogia Cuisine
Anogia cuisine is a typical example of Cretan traditional , which is considered one of the healthiest in the world. The richness and quality of the island’s products have created a cuisine with a unique taste and authenticity.
Cheese, honey, herbs, herbs and other local products form the basis of the local Anogia cuisine . However, the opposite meat and the wonderful Anogia cheese products stand out, which will give you a huge pleasure!
