Formerly called Barbaroi, it is located 15 km away from Heraklion. The village played an important role both in the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, due to the vigorous activity of its residents. The village is the home of Nikos Kazantzakis, and the visitor can visit the Kazantzakis Museum and the Cretan Literature Center, in the central village square, both established to honor the great Greek writer. There are a great many churches that one can visit in the area.