Vrisidi

The relatively new name of this village, which is certainly connected with the word vrisi: fountain or spring. Has still not been accepted by the local prefer to use the old name Magasas, the etymology of which is uncertain perhaps it was a family name. Vrisidi belongs to the Mitato community (Municipality of Itanos) and is about 15 km distant from Sitia. In Venetian’s 1583 census it is not mentioned, maybe because it had been destroyed by Τurkish raids, In any case it is marked on maps of the period, and later in the Τurkish census of 1670 it is listed as Mankasa with 17 families subject to «harec» or military exemption tax.

Α cave to the west of the village was excavated in 1905 by Dawkins. It seems that the entrance to the cave was protected by a wall. Many traces of Neolithic occupation, such as stone axes, obsidian blades, a millstone and 260 bone pins were found. West again of the cave a square Neolithic house was found. It is of the old Scottish «But and Ben» type, consisting of an outer reception room and a large inner room for sleeping and everyday living, It is in a very bad state of preservation, but the limits of the southern side ­measuring 13m- can be clearly seen. Α lot of stone axes and grinding stones came from this Neolithic dwelling.

From the book “Sitia”, N.Papadakis, Arcaeologist