Mathia
Situated 46 km from Heraklion, southeast of Kastelli, Mathia is the settlement in the western foothills of Mount “Afentis” (Master). Limited excavations in the surrounding area have revealed Middle Minoan and Late Minoan findings, at the site of Stavroplaka and Kataleimmata. The church of St. George with frescoes of the 14th century is located east of Mathia, while several temples of the same age exist in the vicinity, for example the church of Our Lady and Saint John. Remnants of threshing floors, “mitata” (domed buildings of the Late Minoan period with only stones as material used by shepherds), factories and windmills constitute the image of a village which continuously interacts with the rural environment.
