Tylissos: History and Landscape in the Valley

Tylissos is a large traditional settlement on the eastern foothills of Mount Psiloritis. Olive groves and vineyards cover the valley where the village is situated. If you are considering Tylissos for a stay, you will encounter several layers of history here: a long history of settlement, archaeological evidence in the surrounding area, and buildings in the village. Together with the landscape, they give the destination a character that extends beyond individual sights.

A Long History Across Several Periods

The name Tílisos has been in use for at least 3,400 years. It is considered the only place name read on the Linear B tablets of Knossos that is still used today. Tílisos was settled before 2000 BC. The settlement flourished both during the Neopalatial period, from 1650 to 1450 BC, and in the subsequent Final Palatial period, from 1450 to 1200 BC. These two periods can be distinguished without reducing the history to a single heyday.

The archaeological site of Tylisos lies in the surrounding area. Three excavated mansions there point to close connections with Knossos. Finds also include three large bronze cauldrons, described as unique in the prehistoric Aegean. The finds indicate an important bronze-working center. Together, this evidence makes the site interesting for travelers who want to learn not only about individual objects, but also about the relationships and activities of a place in the past.

The site's chamber tombs offer another perspective. Most date from the final flourishing period, from 1400 to 1200 BC, and contained painted clay sarcophagi, pottery vessels, and other grave goods, including jewelry and seals. While the mansions and bronze cauldrons provide evidence of settlement and production, the tombs tell of burials and the objects placed with the deceased.

Churches, Mansions, and a Fountain in the Village

The village's streetscape also reflects different periods. The Church of Christ, also known as the Transfiguration of the Savior, is the oldest church in Tílisos. Its surviving frescoes date from the early 14th century. Two mansions from the early 20th century stand in the center; the Ministry of Culture has designated them as protected monuments. The churches and houses thus belong to different periods and offer a tangible impression of how the village's historic heritage is made up.

A restored Venetian fountain with two arches and two spouts stands in Tílisos's square. Its form is clearly distinct from that of the mansions and churches: here, a single structure with two clearly identifiable architectural features is part of the square. Those interested in architectural history can thus explore different kinds of evidence, rather than focusing on just one period or type of building.

Another historical layer is revealed by the permanent exhibition of the K. Koutoulakis photographic archive in the Malevizi municipal gallery in Tílisos. Koutoulakis accompanied the Commission for the Investigation of Atrocities in Crete as a photographer. His photographs captured devastated Crete immediately after the end of the occupation. Thus, alongside the settlement and architectural history reaching far into the past, the history of this period is also part of Tílisos's cultural character.

Patron Saint's Day and Local Food Culture

Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of Tílisos. His church was built in the late 19th century, and the patron saint's feast day is celebrated on December 6. A custom associated with the feast day is to serve fried cod with skordalia in Tílisos. The dish is linked to a particular religious holiday and is not presented as a culinary offering available at any time.

The historic nickname “Bakaliaroi” (“Codfish”) also points to the connection between the village's history and food. In the past, the residents of Tílisos gathered Achinopodia, took them to the city on mules, and sold them. They used the proceeds to buy cod, which is why the neighboring villages called them Bakaliaroi.

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