The seat of the Municipality of Malevizi is located in Gazi. It is the main urban centre of the Municipality, with a population that exceeds 12,500 inhabitants. The settlement of Gazi is built west of the river Gazanos, whence its name. This river is identified with the ancient river Triton. Historian Andrea Cornaro says that the river Gazanos springs from the mountain, and its waters never run dry. Later, the Turks refer to it as the river of the Iteans (Sogut deresi).
As evidenced by a document of the Chandakas Ducal Archive (1379), the settlement of Gazi has existed since the period of the Venetian rule. This fact is proved by the census of Petros Kastrofylakas (1583) and the report of cartographer Francesco Basilicata. At the same time, there was arable land with vines in the village, which belonged to the Agios Markos church.
Significant archaeological findings have been found in the area. In 1936, at the location called Bairia, two clay figurines were discovered by chance, representing a Minoan-era goddess. Also, during the excavations of archaeologist Marinatos, a section of a building with cult utensils and three figurines of the snake and pigeons’ goddess was discovered. All the findings date back to the Late Minoan years, while the Minoan goddess with her arms raised reminds the Virgin Mary Platytera from the Byzantine hagiographies.
