The history of the area
More about The Mallionta in antiquity here.  (ΤΟ ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙ ΤΗΣ ΦΤΕΡΩΤΗΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΚΟΙΛΑΔΑ ΜΕ ΤΟΥΣ ΝΕΡΟΜΥΛΟΥΣ – Φώτη Βασίλογλου)

Natural Landscapes

Mallionda, a rural area within the Mesotopos region, is traversed by the river of the same name.

In 1548, seventy Greek families lived in the Mallionda valley, and twenty-seven watermills were operational, harnessing the kinetic energy of the river. By the end of the 19th century, only twelve of these mills remained in operation. These watermills primarily ground cereals, especially wheat, producing flour for household use.

In 1927, a diesel-powered flour mill began operating in Mesotopos, gradually changing the landscape of grain milling. The Greek Civil War (1946-1949) led to the abandonment of these traditional watermills. Only one was briefly revived but closed permanently in 1955-1956.

The valley, once bustling with vibrant orchards and fruit trees, remained lively until the 1950s. In the years that followed, fewer and fewer farmers sowed wheat, and the tradition of home-baking became less common. Today, the local dwellers are primarily engaged in livestock farming, beekeeping, olive cultivation, and tending to their small gardens. The water towers of eight watermills still stand, serving as guardians of the region’s heritage.

How Was Bread Made in the Past?

In earlier times, people didn’t buy bread from stores. They made it themselves at home. They mixed flour with water to knead the dough and then baked the loaves in wood-fired ovens.

Where did they get the flour?

They didn’t buy it either. Instead they produced it themselves. Making flour involved grinding wheat into a fine powder, a process that required skill and hard work.

Who did that kind of work?

That tough and demanding job was carried out by millers who operated watermills. Around a hundred years ago, the village of Malliontas had twelve such watermills.

The 12 Watermills of Malliontas in the 20th Century

1. The “Sampourlas” Mill
2. The “Malliontas Watermill” – previously known as the “Kouts’nougenis” Mill
3. The site of the Socrates Gnisios Mill
4. The “Kamtsis” Mill
5. The “Tsoulis” Mill
6. The “Mouroudelis” Mill
7. The “Sitsanis” Mill
8. The “Kourlis” Mill
9. The “Manolikas” Mill
10. The “Vallintom’” Mill
11. The “Karekos” Mill
12. The “Dafnoula” Mill

Note: The names of these mills often changed over time, depending on who owned or operated them. The names listed here reflect those in use during the 1940s.

More about Malliontas River here. (ΤΟ ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙ ΤΗΣ ΦΤΕΡΩΤΗΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΚΟΙΛΑΔΑ ΜΕ ΤΟΥΣ ΝΕΡΟΜΥΛΟΥΣ – πηγή: Φώτη Βασίλογλου)