Galia, Greece
Encyclopedia
Gallia is a village in Greece
located 58 km from Heraklion
, and is administratively part of the municipal unit of Moires
.
It lies at an altitude of 250 m, surrounded by hills. It commands an imposing view south to the Messara Valley and to the Asterousia
mountain range, west to the Libyan Sea
and north to the Psiloritis mountain. It has 1036 residents, mainly farmers.
Gallia is one of the oldest villages of the area. It is mentioned as a location in the Venetian
records as early as 1577, and as a village with 120 residents since 1583. The Renaissance
tower in the village (still imposing, although rundown) and the water fountains in the Kapeloniana area are proof of the passing of the Venetians. Part of the village, called Monohoro, is mentioned as early as 800 AD. Here is were the old church of the Virgin Mary, built in 852 AD is located.
The village suffered, under the Turkish
occupation and lately under the Germans
during World War II
. Gallia is easily accessible from Mires either by car or by public bus.
There are no hotels in Gallia, and only a small number of rooms to rent. There is however a hostel, housed in a renovated house and donated to the community by its owner, that provides shelter to visitors. This building also houses the village library and folklore museum.
There are only a couple of taverns in the village, and Gallia in general is for the visitor who wants to spend some time in a quiet environment away from city life.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
located 58 km from Heraklion
Heraklion
Heraklion, or Heraclion is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete, Greece. It is the 4th largest city in Greece....
, and is administratively part of the municipal unit of Moires
Moires
Moires is a town and a former municipality in the Heraklion peripheral unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Faistos, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 10,857 ....
.
It lies at an altitude of 250 m, surrounded by hills. It commands an imposing view south to the Messara Valley and to the Asterousia
Asterousia
Asterousia is a former municipality in the Heraklion peripheral unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Archanes-Asterousia, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 6,303 . The seat of the municipality was in Pyrgos. Other villages include...
mountain range, west to the Libyan Sea
Libyan Sea
The Libyan Sea is the portion of the Mediterranean Sea, north of the African coast of ancient Libya, i.e. Cyrenaica and Marmarica...
and north to the Psiloritis mountain. It has 1036 residents, mainly farmers.
Gallia is one of the oldest villages of the area. It is mentioned as a location in the Venetian
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
records as early as 1577, and as a village with 120 residents since 1583. The Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
tower in the village (still imposing, although rundown) and the water fountains in the Kapeloniana area are proof of the passing of the Venetians. Part of the village, called Monohoro, is mentioned as early as 800 AD. Here is were the old church of the Virgin Mary, built in 852 AD is located.
The village suffered, under the Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
occupation and lately under the Germans
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Gallia is easily accessible from Mires either by car or by public bus.
There are no hotels in Gallia, and only a small number of rooms to rent. There is however a hostel, housed in a renovated house and donated to the community by its owner, that provides shelter to visitors. This building also houses the village library and folklore museum.
There are only a couple of taverns in the village, and Gallia in general is for the visitor who wants to spend some time in a quiet environment away from city life.