The historical journey of Doliche, known during the period of Ottoman rule as Duhlista, is revealed in impressive detail through the Ottoman censuses brought to light by the research of Evangelos V. Tsaknakis in the Thessalian Calendar. These records allow us to glimpse the life, economy, and people of our village from over 500 years ago.
Foundation and Population Explosion
Duhlista appears to have been founded between 1485 and 1506, as it is not mentioned in earlier Ottoman censuses. Its growth was rapid:
- 1506: The village numbered approximately 1,400 inhabitants, consisting of 279 Christian families, 22 widows, 11 single adults, and 3 Muslim families.
- 1521: The population surged to around 1,890 inhabitants. This made Doliche the fourth largest settlement in the Elassona province, following Domeniko, Tsaritsani, and Elassona.
Unfortunately, this peak did not last. By 1570, the population decreased to 930 people, and by 1846, the village numbered only about 100 residents.
Economy and Production in 1521
Our ancestors were hardworking farmers and livestock breeders. According to the 1521 tax data, production included:
- Grains: Wheat (over 6 tons), barley, rye, and oats.
- Viticulture: Must (grape juice) production reached 4,102 liters.
- Livestock: The village had 1,650 sheep, domestic pigs, and beehives.
- Other Crops: Vetch, lentils, chickpeas, and flax.
Interestingly, in the summer of 1521, the village changed «ownership» (timar holder), passing to the jurisdiction of Numan Bey because the previous holder failed to follow the Sultan on his campaigns.
The Names of the Inhabitants (1521)
The 1521 census preserves the names of the heads of households, offering a rare look at the names of that era.
The most popular names were:
| Name | Frequency as a First Name | As a Surname (Patronymic) |
| :— | :—: | :—: |
| Giannis | 57 | 19 |
| Dimos | 37 | 16 |
| Giorgos | 35 | 16 |
| Nikolas | 29 | 8 |
| Stamatis | 26 | 15 |
We also find surnames with deep roots, such as the Byzantine Rallis (12 households), as well as residents who had moved to Doliche from neighboring areas like Livadion (the settlements of Triantafyllos and Marouli) and Servia (Serfitse).
Connection to the Present
A significant detail linking these documents to tradition is the reference to the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior. An inscription in the church testifies that it was renovated around 1515/1516 (shortly before the census) with donations from residents, including Papa-Dimitris and Ioannis Karvounou.
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