EASTERN CRETE

Continuing on towards Armeni and
Handras (two agricultural villages famous
for their wine and the production of
sultanas, which are left to dry on great
sheets stretched out in the sun), one arrives
at Voila, another important Venetian feudal
estate belonging to the Zeno family who,
following the Turkish conquest, converted
to Islam: their sons became fanatical
janissaries, transforming the Italian surname
into Tzin-Ali. Of the Venetian/Turkish village
there remains the imposing tower of the
palace/fortress with crests and relief
sculptures carved on the entrances.
The fertile valley
near Armeni e
Handras was once
Venetian territory,
but after the feud of
Voila was ruled by a
Turkish-Venetian
janissary
Alongside the palace we can see the
ruins of the church of Ayios Panteleimonas
and some stone houses with blackened
ovens and fireplaces that attest to their
sporadic use by shepherds and local farmers.
Coming back down past scattered rocks and
boulders, one arrives at a beautiful fountain
in the Turkish style with an enclosed garden.
Overhead is the church of Ayios Georgios
which houses the tomb of the Cretan
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