Milliarades

Milliarades

  • Locationon Mount Dikti, 53 km from Heraklion
  • Elevation1,188 meters
  • InhabitantsAround 230
  • Natural EnvironmentThe village is the endpoint of the Eligas Gorge, featuring an impressive waterfall
  • HistoryFirst mentioned in the 1881 census
  • ChurchesChurches of Saint Panteleimon, the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Saint George, Saint Mamas, and the Virgin Mary at Deti (inside a cave)

The village of Milliarades is located about 53 km from the city of Heraklion, on the northern slopes of Mount Koupa, on Mount Dikti, at an impressive altitude of 1,188 meters. It belongs administratively to the municipality of Viannos and is a picturesque and peaceful destination, with approximately 230 residents mainly engaged in agriculture and livestock farming. The villagers are particularly well-known for their production of dittany, a traditional Cretan herb grown with care and love.

The village offers natural beauty, including the impressive Eligas Gorge that ends in Milliarades and features a stunning waterfall, attracting nature lovers. The rich flora and fauna of the area, combined with the mountainous landscape, make the village a particularly attractive destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Milliarades has a significant historical heritage, first mentioned in the 1881 census with 185 Christian residents. The settlement has preserved traditional elements, and the villagers keep the customs of the past alive.

In the village, you can find the churches of Saint Panteleimon and the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, as well as other important churches like those of Saint George, Saint Mamas, and the Virgin Mary at Deti, located in a cave south of the village. These religious landmarks are important attractions for visitors wishing to explore the cultural and spiritual history of the area.

The name of the village is derived from the surname of its first settlers, Milliaras, which is of Byzantine origin and means "one who makes cauldrons." Another theory suggests that the name comes from the word "mela," which in Homeric Greek means sheep, reflecting the village's livestock tradition.