Maza lies at an elevation of 160 metres in the hills south of the Vrisiano River. Its building and local history is reflected in several landmarks: Agios Nikolaos stands on the central square, a stone-vaulted fountain on the northern side; other churches and an arched bridge are nearby. The locations and different dates give Maza a distinct cultural and historical focus.
Agios Nikolaos: Architecture and Frescoes
The single-nave, vaulted church of Agios Nikolaos preserves frescoes by the painter Ioannis Pagomenos from 1325. “Single-nave” describes a church space with one main nave; “vaulted” refers to the form of the ceiling. The frescoes connect this architectural form with a specific artistic work and a clear date. An inscription above the entrance identifies the church as “Agios Nikolaos of Mazianos” and suggests that the village is older than the church. The year of the frescoes and the inscription provide different clues: one dates the wall paintings, while the other refers to the age of the village.
The Fountain and Nearby Buildings
On the northern side of Maza stands a stone-vaulted fountain with troughs for communal use. It adds a different local feature to the religious buildings. Just outside Maza stands the 16th-century Church of Christ the Savior. In comparison, the frescoes at Agios Nikolaos date from 1325; the two churches are also in different locations.
The Greek Kamara lies even farther north than the fountain. It is one of the oldest surviving arched bridges in Crete, was built in the Hellenistic period (323–30 BC), and was later extended. Its building history therefore includes both its Hellenistic construction and later additions. The Hellenistic date is much earlier than the year of the frescoes, 1325; the later additions mark further building phases.
A Traditional Explanation of the Name
A local tradition connects the name Maza with the Byzantine period. At that time, Crete is said to have been known as Ekatopolis, “Hundred Cities.” Many people are said to have gathered at this place; this is why the name Maza is explained as meaning “mass.” This story about the name links it to the image of many people gathering. It is presented as a tradition and adds a distinct perspective on local history to the specific information about the buildings and frescoes.
Walking Through Historic Villages
For planning a walk, the Chania Trails APO 05 route is a specific point of reference: it passes through historic villages in Apokoronas, including Maza. This allows you to experience the village as part of a route through several villages, while its individual buildings and their history offer a focus of their own. If you plan to take APO 05, check the latest route information before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Anopoli, Likotinarea, Kalives, Marathi, Souda, Kissamos, Zourva, Vamos
For the main travel overview: Chania.
