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Mathia village is located 11 km southeast of Kasteli and has a population of 215 people. It is situated at an altitude of 590 m in the foothills of the Afendi mountain, which has a height of 1578 m. The Dikti mountain can be seen in the background. The village has a rich history, with the earliest reference dating back to 1271. The name of the village is derived from the common first name for girls, ‘Mattia’, which is pronounced ‘Mathia’ in Crete. In 1957, burials in jars from the middle Minoan period were discovered near the village, and a Late Minoan site with important finds was found to the northwest at Katalimata. The village is also home to two churches with beautiful Byzantine wall paintings, the church of Koimisi tis Panagias and the church of Agios Giorgos. Visitors can enjoy camping facilities at Metochi, where an old factory and several ruined mills can also be found. The village has several kapheneions that serve raki and ‘mezedes’. There is an active cultural center that organizes events, especially in the summer, with evenings of Cretan music and theater plays. The most important and traditional feast is held on the Sunday of Agioi Pantes, 50 days after Easter.
Mathia village is located 11 km to the southeast of Kasteli.
Mathia village has 215 inhabitants.
Mathia village lies at 590 m above sea level.
Mathia village is located in the foothills of the Afendi mountain (1578 m), with the Dikti mountain in the background.
The earliest reference to the village can be found in several contracts of 1271 where the notary of Chandax P. Scardon mentions commercial exchanges of grain and wine with residents of the village ‘Mithie’, possibly a misspelling for Mathia. Burials in jars of the middle Minoan period were discovered in 1957 close to the village, in a place known as Stavroplaka. To the NW of the village, at Katalimata, a Late Minoan site with important finds and, 200 m further off, a settlement with large walls still in place was also found.
There are wonderful Byzantine wall paintings in the two churches of this traditional village, the church of Koimisi tis Panagias (Dormition of Our Lady) and the church of Agios Giorgos. At Metochi, in beautiful surroundings where the historical holm-oak of Ismail Pasha stands among plane trees and running water, there are camping facilities. You can also visit an old factory and several ruined mills. The village boasts of several kapheneions where they serve raki and ‘mezedes’ (tit-bits). There is an active cultural centre, that organizes events, especially in the summer, with evenings of Cretan music and theatre plays.
The most important and traditional feast is held on the Sunday of Agioi Pantes, 50 days after Easter.
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