Malia is a town and former community in the province of Pediados
with 3,722 inhabitants (2001 census) and is a Municipal Department
in the Municipality of Hersonissos in the prefecture of Heraklion.
They are famous for their horticultural products, their picturesque
windmills, the wetland with rare flora and fauna, the sandy beach
and their abundant waters, from which Heraklion is watered. Today it
is a cosmopolitan tourist center with wonderful hotels and decent
holiday centers, tourist shops, etc. It is located at the 34th
kilometer of the main highway to the Prefecture of Lassithi, whose
borders are at 38 kilometers, further east. Main occupations are the
tourism professions, the cultivation of vegetables and bananas. To
the east, at a distance of 37 km, are the antiquities of Malia. In
Malia there are, among others, 1 kindergarten, 2 kindergartens, 2
Primary Schools, Gymnasium, Lyceum, regional clinic, conservatory,
cultural, women's, volunteer (Sarpidonistas) and sports club, KEP
and all the services of the Municipality. The PANOM team, founded in
1970, is active in football.
From September 2017 was
established by the Municipality of Hersonissos "Municipal Free Open
University (DEAP) Stefanos Xanthoudidis"
In the past Malia
was especially known for its vegetable products and windmills. Today
they are best known for the clear beaches with clear blue waters and
the Minoan palace of King Sarpidon, one of the three largest palaces
in Crete. The city of Malia is a popular tourist resort that
combines the modern with the traditional. These two different
aspects of the city are separated by the main road, to the south of
which is the old village with its picturesque alleys that maintain
the traditional rhythms and to the north, the new part of the city,
where the visitor can have fun in countless bars, clubs and
restaurants. The visitor, wandering in the alleys of the old
village, will be able to admire traditional buildings (recently
restored with the help of Sarpidonistas volunteers and villagers),
churches (some of which date back to Venetian rule) and visit
traditional taverns and restaurants. In the new part of town, the
visitor can do their shopping during the day, but also enjoy the
nightlife, either in one of the many cafes or in a restaurant with
traditional cuisine.
Archeology
To the east of Malia is a Minoan palace.
Throughout the area there was a city in antiquity, with a name
unknown today. In archeological writings it is listed as the palace
of Malia. The area is now called Tarmaros and it is believed that
this name is related to the name of the ancient city. It is also
believed that the ancient king of Sarpides, son of Zeus and Europe,
lived in the city. Sarpidona was expelled by his brother Minos and
found refuge in Lycia in Asia Minor. The palace is considered to
have been rebuilt during the construction of the palaces of Knossos
and Phaistos and followed their fate. Around 1700 BC. destroyed for
unknown reasons, then rebuilt and destroyed again in 1450 BC. The
site continued to be inhabited, although the palace was not rebuilt.
An early Christian basilica was unveiled to the west of the palace
at Marmara. A marble sarcophagus was found there.
The
archeological site of Malia was initially unknown. Until the last
decades it belonged to the prefecture of Lassithi. In 1880 the owner
of the area Elliniko Livadi discovered some gold leaves, about 500
meters west of the palace. This event was the occasion for the
excavation of the entire area by gold diggers. Since then the area
has been named Chrysolakkos. In 1915, after the discovery of new
finds, the archaeologist Iosif Hatzidakis ascertained the existence
of antiquities in that part. After Hatzidakis, the excavations were
continued by the French Archaeological School. Excavations have
shown that the inhabitants of ancient Malia were engaged in fishing
and agriculture. The area was not as rich as Knossos and Phaistos.
The name comes from the toponym smooth> Malia =
flat area. It is preserved in its original linguistic form in the
place name Omales (oi), which is a flat area north of Selena and in
the plateaus Omalos of Dikti and the White Mountains. In 1583 villa
di Maglia with 620 inhabitants is mentioned. In 1881 it had 800
Christian inhabitants. Turks did not live in Malia.
Beaches
In a total length of coastline of 6 km, from the picturesque Stalis
to the famous beach of Potamos, west of the archaeological site,
stretch the famous and beautiful beaches of the Municipality of
Malia with the fine golden sand and the crystal clear blue waters.
All beaches are organized and offer comfort and unique moments of
joy, tranquility and entertainment. The visitor can enjoy the sun
and the sea and enjoy the water sports that are offered. The most
famous beaches of the Municipality are, in Stalis, "Vagies" in the
small natural forest of palm trees, "Finikas", and "Psarolakos", and
in Malia "Klontzani", "Pyrgos" and "Potamos" . The most popular
beach of the Municipality, and one of the most beautiful in Crete,
is the beach "Potamos". It is the ideal destination for those
seeking tranquility and relaxation. The management of the beach has
been undertaken by the Municipal Development Company of Malia, which
with absolute respect for the natural environment and the visitor of
the area, has built an organized infrastructure with locker rooms,
chemical toilets, wooden access corridors to the coast, etc.
distinction of the Blue Flag.
Temples
In the town is the
recorded church of the Assumption of the Virgin, known as Panagia
Galatiani, because when it was built milk was used instead of water,
which was offered by the breeders of the area. In the church is the
old icon of Panagia Kardiotissa and Agios Tryfonas. The building
originally used architectural members from older buildings. There
are also the temples of Agios Ioannis the Baptist, Taxiarches, Agios
Dimitrios and Evangelismos, Agios Georgios (in Loutra, a church with
damaged frescoes), Agia Pelagia and Agios Savvas, near the sea, as
well as also of the Transfiguration of the Savior on a small island.
Opposite the islet there is a spring with water which, according to
the residents, facilitates the conception of women who do not have
children, when they drink or wash. For the church of Agios Georgios,
the tradition states that it was built to protect Agios Georgios
those who spent the night there, from the fairies, which according
to the belief are presented in the area.