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Margarites flourishing for centuries...
At the time when Byzantine period ended and
the Venetian occupation of Crete began,
there was already a flourishing settlement
here. The village of Margarites had always
been blessed with fertile land, a mild
climate and rich cultural heritage. In 1332
the Venetians burnt it down, because its
inhabitants refused to pay the excessive
taxes. Later they took part in the
revolution incited by the Kallergis
brothers, of the “powerful” aristocratic
family resident in the Mylopotamos area
since the Byzantine era. When peace was
restored, the Cretan Renaissance began.
Byzantine traditions, the Renaissance from
the West and the Cretan spirit and the
mentality merged and gave birth to great
cultural achievements and prosperity. During
the Renaisance tha village of Margarites was
added with villas, coats of arms, mansions,
churches, beautiful gardens and monastery
dependencies. The travellers Pockeque (1779)
and Savary (1778) mention the village of
Margarites pointing out its natural beauty,
the abandoned aristocratic residencies, the
excellent olive oil, as well as its
ceramics, which “resemble the Minoan urns”.
During the 1829-1830 period the village
served as the seat of the Revolutionary
Council. Furthermore Gabriel Marinakis was
born end rised here; Marinakis later became
the Prior of the Arkadi Monastery and was
one of the leading figures in the blowing up
of the monastery in the name of freedom in
1866. From 1880 onwards the village has once
again been flourishing.
Late Minoan tomb of
Margarites...
The late Minoan Tomb, dating from 1350 B.C.,
is one of the most important monuments in
Margarites village, as well as the whole
prefecture of Rethymnon. The tomb is
situated on the northwestern side of
Margarites, east of the crossroad to Orthes
village. An impressive long coridor at the
entrance of the tomb, built with massive
carved stones, leads to a circular chamber
with a dome. The rest of the findings
indicate that the deceased had an important
social and religious status in the local
society.
The architecture
Farmer’s accomplishments, Memories of the
nobility, Urban influence...
The neighborhoods of this village are
closely knit and protected by high walls. If
you are in a mood for tracing history you
will discover its secrets. More
specifically: the history of the people can
be “read” from the late Byzantine period up
until today. You will find stone-built
farmer’s houses consisting of one of the
room with the fireplace as sole decoration.
The house gave shelter to both family and
livestock during difficult times. Venetian
are fortified with chiseled exterior walls;
the gentry’s mansions are equipped with
loopholes and hidden coats of arms. Interior
yards furnished with kilns, winepresses,
troughs and oil-presses are hidden behind
walls. Furthermore there is the “ontas”, the
large drawing room, which was copied from
urban architecture of the Renaissance in the
town of Rethymno, and the “doma”, the
chamber, which has been the most hospitable
and cozy part of the building since Minoan
times. Perhaps you will pass a vine bower on
a hot summer day and will be invited to have
a coffee in its shade. Further attention
should been paid to the locks, the hinges,
the doors and their lintels, displaying
carved performances, through which the local
craftsmen have laft us their perception of
the beautiful and the extraordinary of that
period. Finally, why not take a look – with
sympathy – at the modern buildings, which
rebuffed tradition (1960-1970). They are
also examples of a period and testify that
this place is alive and still developing.
Traditional art
Stone, wood, iron, soil...
have been first materials that the village
craftsmen worked with producing amazing
artifacts. Pottery has been – and continues
to be – the predominant craft in the
village, making Margarites on of the most
important centres for ceramics in Greece.
Traditional and modern techniques coexist in
perfect harmony in the 16 pottery workshops
where the potters also display their
creations. You can watch veteran potters
working on the foot – operated wheels and
fire their vassels in wood – fuel kilns, as
well as young potters using electric potter
wheels and kilns. At the village square of
Margarites you may visit the Museumof
Ceramics, hosting a display of local ceramic
artifacts. Further, along the main road
south of the village you can find several
old pottery workshops known as “tsikalaria”.
This is where Pitharouliana, an old potter’s
settlement is located.
The churches
Places of history, places of faith...
The village of Margarites is architecturally
and spiritually connected with its churches,
located both inside and outside the village.
Visit the oldest church, Saint John the
Evangelist, with its humble icon screen of
stone. The church yard hosts the remains of
some of those killed in the Arkadi blast.
You should not miss the beautiful icon
screen of the Virgin Mary, of the
Renaissance church of Michael Archangel with
its tombs and the church of Saint John the
Baptist in the centre of the village, where
you can light a candle. Also, the Saint
Nikolaos bell tower, a duplicate of the
Arkadi monastery’s, is worth visiting, as is
the church of Saint Dimitrios of the Dandoli
and the Virgin Mary (Panagia) of Keropoula.
You can also visit the Monastery of Christ
the Redeemer (Sotiras Christos) – Saint
Gideon on the eastern side of the village.
This monastery is run as adependency of the
Karakallou Monastery in Mount Athos and has
been there since the 16th century. The
holiness of the place will liberate your
soul.
Nature, trails
Leave your vehicle either at the nortern or
the southern entrance of the village and
walk. You can explore the little village
streets, visit the churches, go up to yhe
monastery, or you may choose to enjoy your
coffee, soft drink, or tsikoudia (raki) at
one of the village tavernas. You can look at
the sea from afar, enjoy the view, buy
ceramics, and if you wish you can also have
lunch or dinner here. If you like hiking you
may visit Laggos, the gorge by the
village.Walk past the village square, then
follow path E4 that leads to the village of
Lagga, and ends in the ancient Bridge of
Eleftherna. During the hike, you will see
many rare flower species, and you will
discover the beauty of the countryside. You
will be able to admire the Cretan cypres
trees that gow in the area. Those who prefer
not to walk may enjoy a view of the gorge
sitting on the benches on the southern end
of the village. There you can watch the
unique sunset of Margarites. Should you wish
to stay overnight, you can rent a room or a
flat in the village.
Culture, performances
The cultural Associatio of Margarites
organizes both permanent and seasonal
activities in the village all year round.If
you visit Crete at the end of the August
don’ t miss DOMA’ s (Creative Group of
Margarites) theatrical satirical show, known
as Boudalia. Boudalia is the result of
cooperative work of the young people of
Margarites and other areas in the
Municipality of Geropotamos. You will be
suprised at the quality of the show and you
will enjoy yourselves.During the summer,
Maria Tzompanaki’ s Cultural Centre
“Margarites” offers several interesting
cultural events such as concerts, lectures,
exhibition, puppet shows, shadow theatre
“Karagiozis” performances etc. In
Tzanakiana, next to Margarites village,
there is a traditional Guest House, “The
Kourites Home”, offering hospitality and
implementing various cultural and
enviromental education programs for adults
and children. |
