Transport

In Crete, the various forces of occupation forbade the construction of road networks or maritime transport except fishing boats, in order to prevent the rapid movement of the local population on and off the island. People and goods moved on foot or using pack animals.

HUMAN TRANSPORT

Most people usually walked everywhere, especially men, who added high boots and a cape in winter to their usual costume. They carried a bag or “vouryia” full of dry provisions on their shoulder and a small flask of wine or raki. They also carried a stout walking-stick, which could be used as a weapon in an emergency. People usually travelled together in small groups for safety, as there were often bandits and robbers in isolated spots. The longest journey across the width of the island, from north to south, was through the central province from the plain of Mesara to Heraklion – a distance of roughly 60 km, which took 24 hours with a brief overnight stop.

There were no roads but only narrow tracks, sometimes paved in dangerous and slippery places. Along these routes were various “chania” or wayside inns. These were plain single-storey buildings, usually with a single room for both eating and sleeping. Nearby there was an open-air space for pack animals and, if you were lucky, some fodder. The routes passed close to springs for watering men and beasts alike.

Women never went on long journeys and were always accompanied by men due to the danger of bandits and frequent patrols in the countryside. For journeys of a few hours, people usually rode the family donkey. If a journey of several days was planned, for instance during times of rebellion, men loaded a donkey with cooking vessels, clothes and other necessities. Bands of armed irregulars rode mules and horses, although the latter were forbidden by the Turks.

Produce Transport

Large amounts of produce were always transported by pack animal. Dry goods such as grain were loaded in wedding sacks, other types of sack, panniers, baskets etc. Liquids such as wine and olive oil were transported in ram-skin containers with a maximum capacity of 50 or 60 litres. Mule caravans were used to transport goods from the countryside to the towns, as mules are large, strong animals.

COMMUNICATIONS

Schools were banned in Turkish-occupied Greece, so most people apart from the clergy were illiterate. The only means of transferring information was by word of mouth. In some special cases of isolated populations on distant islands, such as Gavdos, large fires were used for signalling at night.