Vlatos, a village nestled in the heart of Crete, Greece, boasts a rich history that intertwines with the broader narrative of the region. Located in the Kissamos municipality, Vlatos is known for its tranquil atmosphere and historical significance.
The area around Vlatos has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, as evidenced by pottery dating back to 3000-2900 BC. The village itself has been a witness to the ebb and flow of civilizations, with its strategic location making it a desirable settlement throughout history.
In ancient times, Vlatos was part of the broader Kissamos province, which thrived as an independent city with its own coinage and extensive trading links. The town of Kissamos, also known as Kastelli Kissamou, was a significant urban center in the region, particularly during the Roman period.
The Venetians, who ruled Crete from the 13th to the 17th century, left a lasting mark on the area. They built the wall of Kastelli and laid out the town according to an urban plan, with public buildings along a main street now known as Canevaro Street. The Venetians also built a fortress in Kastelli, which was later used by the Turks and the Cretan nobility.
The village of Vlatos, like much of Crete, experienced the tumultuous events of the 19th and 20th centuries. During the Greek War of Independence in 1821, the Cretan revolutionaries fought against Ottoman rule. The final blow to Ottoman control came in 1898, when the Great Powers intervened and Crete was declared an autonomous state under Ottoman suzerainty.
In the 20th century, Crete was annexed by Greece in 1913. During World War II, Crete was occupied by German forces, who used the area around Vlatos as a strategic point due to its proximity to the coast. The village and its inhabitants suffered greatly during this period.
Today, Vlatos is a peaceful village that celebrates its history and culture. The village is home to a museum that showcases the area’s rich history, including artifacts from the Neolithic period and the Roman era. The village also hosts the Vlatos Jazz Summer, an annual music festival that brings together international artists and local talent.
In conclusion, the history of Vlatos, Kissamos, and Crete is a tapestry of diverse influences and periods of conflict and peace. The village and its surrounding area have been shaped by the Minoans, the Romans, the Venetians, and the Ottoman Turks, all of whom left their mark on the region. Today, Vlatos is a vibrant community that continues to honor its past while looking towards the future.
Community Center
The Vlatos community center was build around 1993 to host around 200 people including a kitchen and an office. This is the place where all the important village gatherings take place.
Podium
The construction of this church started in 1884 and stopped in 1889 because the roof had collapsed and the people decided to leave the structure as it was and returned to one of the other churches in Vlatos. This collapse of the roof is still clearly visible by the two cracks on the left and right sides of the walls. Around 2000 a new roof was added to save the structure. This is the place of Vlatos Jazz.
Museum
The school from Vlatos was operational until the 90’s of the last century and held up to 30 children of all ages. Now a days the school is used as a museum of crafts and it has a small setup showing the items of the old school dating back to the 19th century. You can visit the museum by appointment (please sent an email to syllogos@vlatos.gr)
Churches
Since its birth as a village around 1500 AD Vlatos has build many churches. All of these can be visited all year around. Have a look at all our churches by foot or drive there with your car.
Park of Peace
Established by the village of Vlatos in cooperation with the Bavarian Forestry Office. The Park of Peace is an arboretum and is about 500.000m2 with multiple walking paths. You will find the park on the road to Milia Mountain Retreat & Restaurant.
Food & Drink
You can enjoy Cretan hospitality in many place around Vlatos. The old cafe neon where you will meet the locals sitting down after a day of work or sit down and have a wonderful meal by Vasilis Makrakis at Milia Mountain Retreat & Restaurant, eat souvlaki at Platanias Taverna and enjoy local dishes in Milos Taverna.
Energy
The village of Vlatos has a SILK OIL petrol station that is also a mini market providing all necessary energy for your stay and travels.
Vlatos Jazz World Music Festival
Vlatos Jazz is a yearly festival celebrating music from around the world. Today, the festival is running for more than 5 years and slowly becoming famous in Greece’s jazz circles. All concerts are acoustic (without amplifiers) and take place on our podium in the old little church next to the museum.
Accommodation
The village of Vlatos is home to several bed and breakfast locations and it is home to the awarded and famous eco resort Milia Mountain Retreat.
Internet
The future arrived in 2018 with OTE’s Rural South fiber optic network. There are a couple of open access points (WiFi) and many houses are jointly connected. If you find a WiFi access point the most likely password will be “kalimera”.