Distance from Heraklion: 17.7km
Amenities: Town Hall, Citizens’ Service Centre (KEP), small taverns and retail shops, groceries, pharmacy, banks and regional medicinal centre.
Peza is the seat of the Municipality of Archanes-Asterousia and it is located in the most important wine producing area in the Prefecture of Heraklion. The locals traditionally work in viticulture and olive tree cultivation, producing top quality olive oil with a designation of origin, as well as branded superior quality wine with a designation of origin. One of the most interesting points in the village is the establishment of the ‘Peza Union’, which has standardised the olive oil and the wine produced by the region’s farmers since 1933. In the exhibition premises one can see the equipment of the old 19th century olive mill, grape presses, wine pumps, distillation equipment, etc.
WHAT TO SEE:
- At the Agios Konstantinos location stomping vats constructed in the Venetian period (15th-16th century) have been found. It is a complex of four wine-presses in a row.
- The village Cathedral [Metropolis] is dedicated to St. Nicholas and holds its feast on December 6.
- The Churches are dedicated St. Constantine (Byzantine church), St. Demetrius, St. George (of the cemetery), and the Saints Cosmas and Damian.
- A great festival is celebrated on 21 November in the old church of Panagia ton Eisodion [Madonna of the Presentation] (who is the village’s matron saint).
