One of the most beautiful and traditional Cretan villages of Crete is Ethia in the Archanes-Asterousia Municipality, Ethia village has a population of about 300 people, most of whom are involved in agriculture and cattle-breeding. Ethia has been listed a traditional hamlet. It is a typical example of a mountain village of Crete, on the Asterousia Mountain Range at an altitude of 740m, surrounded by five mountain peaks. It is a very impressive land and very well-preserved, thanks to the efforts of the locals, who have been working tirelessly for years on the restoration of its buildings, laying down cobbles in the narrow streets, and, mainly, keeping their village alive, despite the difficulties due to its distant location.

The name Ethia (Itea – Itia, meaning “willow”) originates from a plant, as do the names of other villages in the area (Amygdalos, Mournia). Legend speaks of a large tree with enormous branches that provided shade for the locals and passers by – and feasts and celebrations were held under its leafy branches. There are no traces of this legendary tree any more, but, if you start up the road that climbs the bare stone mountain over Rotasi, your eyes will immediately be drawn to the young green pine trees, that suddenly alter the landscape as soon as you reach the village entrance. It is a bocage planted by the locals, which has become an oasis of green on the treeless ridge of the Asterousia.

The village is located 90 km south of Heraklion town.

The village churches are Panagia (Virgin Mary) built in 1909 and Profitis Ilias (Prophet Elijah). Profitis Ilias with its age-old wooden iconostasis, is built on a rising with a panoramic view. According to one tradition, it was built in 1874 in just one day, as the ruling Ottoman Pasha had only allowed from sunrise to sunset for it to be built. A great festival is held here every year for Prophet Elijah’s feast.