The history of the place goes back to the Minoan
times, as it is evidenced by the Minoan ruins gound in the area. Later,
it used to be an autonomous city state which edited coins and participated
to the Alliance of the Cretan cities with Eumenes the Second, the king
of Pergamos. In recent times, Viannos has suffered a cruel bombing
by the Nazis on the 29th of May 1941, as a result to the strong resistance
of the village to the invadors; during the whole period of German domination,
all the villages of the area suffered extended damages, as they continue
to resit to the invadors and caused serious problems and losses both
material and in human souls. Today Viannos has 900 permanent residents.
There are a lot things worth seeing once in the area, both monuments
and natural beauty. A very old christian tomb with an inscription is
found at the central road of the village. Several byzantine churches
are worth visiting when in the village, as that of Aghios Georghios (St.
George) and Aghia Pelaghia with wall paintings dating back to the 15th
and 14th century respectively; it is also worth seeing the churches of
Aghia Marina and Archangelos Michael. You may also visit Aghia Moni ("holy
monastery"), 4 kilometres far from the village at the South. And, don't
miss to sea the impressive monument in memory of the people of the village
who were executed by the Nazia on the 14th September 1943; it is found
on the crossroad leading to the village Amiras.
Apart from the various monuments and other human works and constructions,
the area is worth visiting for the wonderful natural environment. Don't
miss to visit the Omalos plateau on Dikiti Mountain, where there was
the mountain fastness of the famous Patouchas; it is also worth going
to the Viannou - Amira gorge; the entrance is in short distance from
Viannos.
A three-days long cultural activities, the "Kondylakia" are organised
every year in the village in early August. The commemoration of the execution
of the people by the Nazis in 1943 is celebrated with official ceremony
on the 14th of September.
Some rooms to let are available for lodging and you will find excellent
food and abundant drink, mainly "tsikoudia", in the traditional taverns
and cafes of the village and the area around. If you feel like swimming
and playing in the sea, the beautiful beach of Keratokambos is only 12
kilometres far from the village at the South. And in case of emergency,
a Medical centre is available in the village.
Access from Heraklion is possible mainly by rented or private car and
motorbike. |
