The picturesque settlement of the Agios Vasileios municipality in the Rethimno prefecture, Sachtouria, is in a very beautiful area, in the north-western side of the Vouvala Mountain, 520 meters above the sea level.

The Sachtouria local community consists of the Sactouria and Kato Sachtouria settlement, the two islands called Paksimadia and the amazing coastal Agios Pavlos settlement with its dreamy beaches.

According to the 2011 census, 149 people live in Sachtouria and their main occupations are agriculture and livestock.

HISTORY

Archaeological findings from the Minoan Era were found near Sachtouria, in Agios Ioannis. It is said that it was built on the ancient Psichi city. The findings show its long history.

Sachtouria played an important role during the Turkish and German Occupation. During the German occupation, the residents helped in the munitions transfer and hid allies. That is why, on the 4^th of May 1944, the Germans destroyed completely the village, imprisoned all the men from 15 years old and above and killed 15 of them.

PLACE NAME

There are three versions on the origin of the name of the settlement. It is said that pirates gave to the area the name “Saktour” that meant fast or runaway. It is also supported that it came from the name “Sachtouris that fought against the pirates and helped the residents of the area. It is also thought that the name came from the captain Sachtouris that brought supplies and munitions to the settlement.