Diavaide

panoramic view

This village has 120 inhabitants and lies very near to Kasteli (700m to the SE) at 355m above sea level.
The earliest reference to the name is found in the Ducal Archives at Chandax in 1378. Another document in the same archives mentions a certain G. Dochiano, inhabitant of Diavaide. However, another story attributes the name of the village to the cruelty of the Turks, who were hanging the Christians in the middle of the square, then placing a sign there with the words diava ide meaning ‘come and see', in order to give an example to the rebels and to those that refused to change their faith.

However, in a 1390 AD, in an inscription, found in the Byzantine church of Agios Georgios Sfakiotis, the name of the village is clearly mentioned, indicating that Diavaide existed well before the Turkish occupation. In that church there is a unique fresco of Byzantine art that represents Saint George and Saint Demeter passing through the sea on their horses, while at their feet lie various sea creatures; crabs, lobsters, and other fish, a strange phenomenon indeed, considering that the village is so far away from the sea. There is also the church of Agios Nikolaos in the village dated to the same period.

The village took part in all the main fights by Crete against the enemies of its freedom, while during German occupation the high college of Kastelli continued to operate in Diavaide houses.

The cultural association of the village, one of the first in this area, strives to maintain the cultural traditions and the continuity of village history through the years.

Village square Panagia church Agios Georgios Sfakiotis church
Village square Panagia church Agios Georgios sfakiotis church