Top Prefecture of Rethymno hotels
This exotic beach is located 40 km south of the capital of the prefecture of Rethymno. The landscape, as you see, is really magical, you can rent a boat and sail in the river among the palm trees... There are two monasteries nearby, you can visit only the new one (Agios Ioannis Theologos, the view is nice).
This village lies at an altitude of 740 m, 55 km SE of Rethymno, well-known for the independent spirit of its inhabitants, as in Sfakia (see my prefecture of Chania page). Local customs and the old style of living can still be very obvious there, as you see by the black clothes of these men. The village was destroyed several times, in 1821 and in 1826 by the Turks and in 1944 by the Germans. You can visit the house of the great Greek singer Nikos Xilouris (1936-1980), the small -but nice!- museum of Manolis Skoulas, the church of Agios Yakinthos (18 km south of the village, he is the patron saint of the... enamoured people!), even the observatory of Skinakas (1752 m, near the plateau of Nida). It is open only a few days every year, I was so lucky to be there and observe the moon in the night...
Andreas thinks that he is somehow strong, as he achieved finally to be at the top of Psiloreitis (2.456 m). The best access is by the village Kouroutes. You can follow the footpath from "Sopata" shelter, if you don't find it -as I did!- you'll need 3-4 more hours to go on the top. The view is extraordinary, you can sign on the book which is kept there or pray at the stone-made church (Timios Stavros)... You may have company people all over the world!
This is the venetian fanade of the historical monastery of Arcadi, 23 km SE of Rethymno. The first building was built in the 14th century, today it houses -except others- a museum about the history of the monastery. It is well-known for what happened in 1866 (November): after a lot of fights, many women/children and Cretan soldiers had been closed inside and the soldiers of Moustafa pasha were beleaguering it. Finally, the Turks got inside, but the Greeks (K. Giaboudakis, with the encouragement of the prior Gavriil) blowed the powder of the monastery, as they didn't want to be arrested by the enemy. Many Turks also died... Since then, Arcadi became a symbol of freedom.
This is the small church of Agios (Saint) Ioannis, at the same place where the sources of Argiroupoli are. Such churches are usual in Crete, many of them -as that one- have been built under (or inside) a rock...
These are the sources of Argiroupoli, a place 20 km SW of Rethymno, near to the prefecture of Chania. There are small waterfalls, water mills, restaurants, much green... In 1878, the union of Crete with Greece was pronounced there, it finally became true in 1913.
In this village, near Zoniana, you can visit its cave (Gerodospilios), with nice stalagmites and stalactites too. Ancient greek god Mercury was adored there so many centuries ago... The cave is especially known because of a tragic fact: on January 1824, 340 women and children and 30 Greek soldiers died there by asphyxia, as Housein pasha ordered his army to close the mouth of the cave and put a fire... This grave is a monument for this event...
This wax museum is in Zoniana, a village not far away from Rethymno. Year by year, it becomes bigger, although it will never be as big as the one in London! At the picture, you see Dominikos Theotokopoulos (on the left), the famous painter who was born in Irakleio, and Nikos Kazantzakis, one of the greatest Greek writers, another offspring of cultural Crete...
There are plenty of caves all over the island, many of them are still undiscovered (about 2.000!). This is the Cave of Zoniana (Sfedoni), one of the nicest in Crete, with many stalactites and stalagmites. You can have a guided tour at the discovered place of it, even if there are only 2-3 persons...
It is the sunrise through the top of the highest mountain of Crete, Psiloreitis, as it can be seen from Veniou Monastery, near the village Voleones. Isn't it a wonderful moment?
Casa De Delfini Rethymno
1 Review and 11 Opinions We rented the largest apartment (maisonette) on the top floor. Apartment consisted of great...
Panormos Village Panormos
0 Opinions
Bio Hotel Apartments Rethymno
1 Review and 46 Opinions Very well located and clean hotel. Additional plus is that hotel is not located next to the beach or...
Reviews and photos of Prefecture of Rethymno attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Prefecture of Rethymno sightseeing.
Q: Hi, anybody who can translate the text on the photo in my travelogue: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/8f9f9/#TL For...
A: This is the inscription at the Bonehouse and the inscription is simply listing the translations of "bonehouse" in diff. languages There is also D: Beinhaus Die Schrift...
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