Can you feel it? This sense of history hangs heavy in the air around Spilia.
Spilia. The name itself whispers secrets of caves and ancient stories. We are standing in a place with centuries of history.
The village name “Spilia” means “Cave” in Greek. It comes from a cave just 400 meters from here. The Cave of Saint John the Hermit sits on Marathokefala hill. The church of the Saint now stands there.
Spilia has been inhabited since the Venetian era. For centuries it was a center of religion and architecture. You can still find many old churches and chapels here. They showcase unique architectural styles. Some date back to the 14th century.
One prominent church is Archangel Michael. It stands in the village center. Built in the 14th century it features impressive Byzantine icons.
Another significant church is Panagia Myrtidiotissa. This Cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Inside you will see beautiful murals. Also see the historic icon of Mary. It was a gift from a monastery in Kythira.
You can discover the chapel of Agioi Pantes inside a large rock. The village also has an ecclesiastical museum. It exhibits valuable religious treasures and relics.
About one kilometer from Spilia lies the Cave of Saint John the Hermit. It is a large cave adorned with stalactites. It houses a small church dedicated to Saint John.
Not far from Spilia is a testament to Venetian engineering. The Spilia Venetian Aqueduct is near Knossos. This aqueduct bridge is the largest part of the Morosini Aqueduct. It supplied water to the city from the mountains. The aqueduct was in use from the 17th century to the early 20th century.
Francesco Morosini initiated this ambitious water supply project. It stretched 15 kilometers. Before this Heraklion then known as Candia relied on wells and rainwater tanks. The project was completed in just 14 months. It was launched on April 25 1628 Saint Mark’s day.
An interesting fact: The Egyptians once discovered an ancient Roman aqueduct in Knossos. It had an underground tunnel of 1150 meters. They restored it to carry water to Heraklion.
Spilia is a place where history whispers from every stone. It echoes in the churches and flows through the ancient aqueducts. Take a moment to appreciate the layers of history. Feel the spirit of those who came before us. Their stories are etched into the very landscape.