Kato Asites

Kato Asites Kάτω Ασίτες
Community
Kato Asites
Coordinates: 35°12′N 25°0′E
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Crete
Regional unit	Heraklion
Municipality	Heraklion
Municipal unit	Gorgolainis
Population  (2021)[1]
• Community	1,040
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)

Kato Asites (Greek: Kάτω Ασίτες) is a medium-sized village in the heart of the Heraklion regional unit, Crete. It is part of the Gorgolainis municipal unit. It has a population of around 1,100 inhabitants. It is situated 24 km southwest of Heraklion City. The village enjoys very hot and dry summers, with mild rainy winters and occasionally snow.

Places of interest

One kilometer north of Kato Asites is situated the Gorgolaini Monastery. The village has nine churches, with Agia Pariskevi being the most famous one. The story behind the church is legendary in the village. While being under Turkish domination between 15th and 19th centuries, a Turk tried to sabotage a Cretan wedding. He went to the wedding and tried to shoot the bride. Unfortunately for him, the bullet ricocheted off the church wall and into his stomach, killing him.

References

1. "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.