1. Human geography

A coastal market town at the north-east end of the Cyzicus Peninsula, 14 klm N-NE of Panormos and 93 klm NW of Prousa. It was built in a crescent-shape gulf and was facing the east. Michaniona was the Greek name of the settlement, whereas the Ottoman name, most probably an alteration of the Greek one, was Muhanya. There are three theories concerning the etymology of the Greek name. The first, which probably must be considered a scholarly one, attributed the origin of the inhabitants at Hania in Crete, from where they were exiled. From the repetition of the phrase “Mi Chania, mi Chania” (never more Chania), from the expulsed refugees, came the town’s name. This version reflects the general tradition which assumes that not only the inhabitants of Michaniona, but of the other villages of the same periphery too, came from Crete.¹ Michaniona, however, appears in the Ottoman registers already from the 14^th century.² This means that the settlement pre-existed the Ottoman conquest of Crete (1645-1669), a period which is considered to be the possible terminus post quem of the resettlement. It is quite possible, however, that the settlement took place either during the years of the Venetian conquest³ or after the Ottoman conquest; in this case the Cretan settlers would have probably merged with the indigenous inhabitants. Another version, based more on the verbal tradition of the inhabitants, reported that the name came from two battalions of the engineering corps (michaniko in Greek) which participated in the defence of Constantinople in 1453. Finally, a third version attributes the name in a possible existence in the site of Michaniona of an old nautical market town, which operated as a place for the construction of machinery for boats (capstans, anchors etc.).

The old site of the settlement was in a distance of approximately 20 minutes west of the new one and the inhabitants of Michaniona called it “Paliochori” (Old Village). There were two churches there (of the Saviour and of the Holy Spirit) and ruins of houses. This site was not visible from the sea and offered safety from the pirate raids. It is unknown, however, when exactly the settlement was transferred to its new position. The town during the first decades of the 20^th century numbered around 320 houses and 1,600 inhabitants, all of them Greek Orthodox.⁴ The locals spoke Greek, whereas the ones who for various reasons had to travel or had exchanges with the Turkish populations also knew Turkish.

The first deportation of the inhabitants from their city took place in July 1915, when the Ottoman Empire entered World War I. They started returning back gradually after 1918, only to leave for ever in 1922. After the Asia Minor Catastrophe families from the settlement settled in Nea Michaniona of Thessalonica, Aidipsos, Nea Peramos of Megaris and Athens.

2. Administrative structure-ecclesiastic dependence-religion-education-urban structure

Michaniona administratively belonged to the müdürlük of Peramos of the kaymakamlık of Panormos, which in turn belonged to the mutasarrıflık of Balukesir of the vilayet of Prousa. The small town was administrated by a muhtar official, who was called çorbacı. He took care for the paying of the taxes of the inhabitants (as for example the tithe “dekati” tax), but also for the procedure of the presentation of the new levees to the conscription office of Panormos, since he was the one who kept the relative registers. Ecclesiastically Michaniona belonged to the diocese of Cyzicus. The representative of the metropolitan in the settlement (i.e. responsible for the issuing of wedding permits) was one of the priests who had the title of “protopapas” (first priest).

During the period before the Asia Minor Catastrophe Michaniona was comprised of three quarters (mahalle) which corresponded to the parish division of the settlement. The names of the quarters were: a) Mesochori, b) Agios Georgios (the Choriooudaki-Little Village) and g) Molos (Quay). In the first and the third quarter there were churches dedicated to Saint Nikolaos, whereas Saint Georgios was the most important church of the town and was located at its south-eastern part. It was a big church, with a stone-built bell tower, but also richly decorated, mainly thanks to the personal care of the patriarch of Jerusalem Nikodemos (he died in 1910), who originated from Michaniona.⁵ Apart from these three churches there was also a small monastery, Panaghia of Kanali which celebrated on the day of Zoodochos Pigi (located at the Makryalos beach), another monastery just outside the village, the one of Saint George of Dafne, two hagiasmas, many (24) small churches and three cemeteries, one for each parish.

From 1866 a school for boys and from 1873 a school for girls operated in Michaniona. Both institutions were maintained by the “Proodos” (Progress) Brotherhood of Michanionans, which was founded in Constantinople in 1866 and were sponsored with the amount of 25 golden Ottoman pounds each year by the famous banker Georgios Zarifis. In 1898 the new school of the settlement was built, a six-grade mixed elementary school, which was located next to the church of Saint George and was controlled by a six-member board of schools (ephoreia).

The streets of Michaniona were narrow and irregular without any planning. They were all paved with stone (kalderim). There was a central street which led from the beach to the Koutsiada fountain. In the middle of the road there was a square with the name Michalakaioi. The houses were made of wood with tiled roofs. They had two or three floors, usually, with spacious rooms. The hall were the visits, the fests etc. took place was called “karpatos” and was usually 10 m long.

3. Elements of economy

Michaniona had merchant relations mainly with Panormos, where a bazaar was organized every Friday. The production of wheat was small, so the inhabitants of Michaniona had to buy flour from Panormos. From there they also purchased clay vessels. An important role in the economical activity of the inhabitants was played by sericulture. Silk was sold at Mudanya. However, the basic profession of the people of Michaniona was fishing. Fish were destined for the markets of Constantinople.

A noteworthy number of people from Michaniona had resettled to Constantinople. In the beginning of the century there were about 40 Michaniona families there. Most of them were tailors and furniture makers. Tailors mainly dwelled in Galata, whereas furniture makers in the Mahmut pasha quarter. The great presence of the people from Michaniona to Constantinople led to the foundation of the “Proodos” Brotherhood.