Guidebook for Rethymno by "Dream your Villa"

Arts & Culture

Margarites

Cretan village with local pottery: Margarites is a mountain village of the prefecture of Rethymno located near Ancient Eleftherna, approximately 38 km far from the city of Rethymno. The village had been built between two canyons of outstanding beauty by some queen of Eleftherna, Margarita, who was impressed by the stunning gorgeousness of the place, sold her expensive jewelry and gave commandment to build this settlement in her honor. Others, a little more ”reasonably”, connect the name of Margarites village to the existence of the homonymous flower that grows in the region. But it was probably named after “magarika” (or magarikata) meaning “clay” in Byzantine times; the other letter “r” was probably added later. Today, Margarites is the second most important pottery center in Crete, since the area is rich in clay soil and water, favoring this art. The village has at least 16 pottery workshops, each working in different style, combining modern and traditional techniques, and the guests can freely see the artists at work. Continuing your walk in Margarites, be sure to take the opportunity to admire the churches of the village, the Renaissance church of Archangel Michael, the oldest church of all, Agios Ioannis the Theologian with its stone iconostasis, in the courtyard of which the dead from the Arkadi monastery are buried. The monastery of Christ the Savior and Agios Gedeon on the east side of the village is definitely worth visiting. For the lovers of mythology, one of the most important monuments of Margarites is the Late Minoan vaulted tomb that was excavated in the region and dates back to 1350 BC. The E4 route passes through the central square of the village. The less active guests can enjoy their time in one of the taverns or cafés of the village.

227 locals recommend

Margarites

227 locals recommend

Cretan village with local pottery: Margarites is a mountain village of the prefecture of Rethymno located near Ancient Eleftherna, approximately 38 km far from the city of Rethymno. The village had been built between two canyons of outstanding beauty by some queen of Eleftherna, Margarita, who was impressed by the stunning gorgeousness of the place, sold her expensive jewelry and gave commandment to build this settlement in her honor. Others, a little more ”reasonably”, connect the name of Margarites village to the existence of the homonymous flower that grows in the region. But it was probably named after “magarika” (or magarikata) meaning “clay” in Byzantine times; the other letter “r” was probably added later. Today, Margarites is the second most important pottery center in Crete, since the area is rich in clay soil and water, favoring this art. The village has at least 16 pottery workshops, each working in different style, combining modern and traditional techniques, and the guests can freely see the artists at work. Continuing your walk in Margarites, be sure to take the opportunity to admire the churches of the village, the Renaissance church of Archangel Michael, the oldest church of all, Agios Ioannis the Theologian with its stone iconostasis, in the courtyard of which the dead from the Arkadi monastery are buried. The monastery of Christ the Savior and Agios Gedeon on the east side of the village is definitely worth visiting. For the lovers of mythology, one of the most important monuments of Margarites is the Late Minoan vaulted tomb that was excavated in the region and dates back to 1350 BC. The E4 route passes through the central square of the village. The less active guests can enjoy their time in one of the taverns or cafés of the village.

Museum of Ancient Eleutherna

100 locals recommend

Museum of Ancient Eleutherna

123 Epar.Od. Aggelianon-Elefthernas

100 locals recommend

Arkadi

64 locals recommend

Arkadi

64 locals recommend

Paleontology Museum

Paleontological Museum of Rethymnon https://www.facebook.com/mouseio.rethymno The Temple of Mastaba, with the characteristic 9-dome architecture, is an authentic monument of Rethymnon and has been conceded to GNHM following a decision of the Ministry of Culture. Upon completion of restoration and of the relevant museological study, it will operate as a Museum of Palaeontology, being annex of GNHM in Crete. The paleontological collection of the Municipality of Rethymnon, which is the basis of the exhibited material, has already been conceded to GNHM. It has been studied and conserved with the cooperation of the University of Athens (Historical Geology and Palaeontology Faculty, Department of Geology and Geoenvironment), by the emeritus professor N. Symeonidis and the assistant professor Dr. G. Theodorou. Original findings of endemic mammals in real-size representations and in anatomic arrangement shall accompany the exhibition. Visitors shall get to know the dwarf Cretan elephants, dwarf hippopotamuses and polymorphous Cretan deer, and they will find information on these animals, the first inhabitants of Crete, and on Greek mythology. During summer time the museum is open Mon - Sat 09:00 - 15:00 and during winter time during Tue - Thur - Sat 09:00 - 15:00. General admission fee: 3€ / 2€ students and groups/ free for accompanied kids under 10 yrs old.

41 locals recommend

Paleontology Museum

21 Μαρκέλλου

41 locals recommend

Paleontological Museum of Rethymnon https://www.facebook.com/mouseio.rethymno The Temple of Mastaba, with the characteristic 9-dome architecture, is an authentic monument of Rethymnon and has been conceded to GNHM following a decision of the Ministry of Culture. Upon completion of restoration and of the relevant museological study, it will operate as a Museum of Palaeontology, being annex of GNHM in Crete. The paleontological collection of the Municipality of Rethymnon, which is the basis of the exhibited material, has already been conceded to GNHM. It has been studied and conserved with the cooperation of the University of Athens (Historical Geology and Palaeontology Faculty, Department of Geology and Geoenvironment), by the emeritus professor N. Symeonidis and the assistant professor Dr. G. Theodorou. Original findings of endemic mammals in real-size representations and in anatomic arrangement shall accompany the exhibition. Visitors shall get to know the dwarf Cretan elephants, dwarf hippopotamuses and polymorphous Cretan deer, and they will find information on these animals, the first inhabitants of Crete, and on Greek mythology. During summer time the museum is open Mon - Sat 09:00 - 15:00 and during winter time during Tue - Thur - Sat 09:00 - 15:00. General admission fee: 3€ / 2€ students and groups/ free for accompanied kids under 10 yrs old.

Folklore Museum

23 locals recommend

Folklore Museum

23 locals recommend

Spili

Village worth to visit. Spili is a village of the prefecture of Rethymno, an important node of southern Crete transport network, located approximately 30 km far from the city of Rethymno. Spili is a mountain village built at an altitude of 430 meters on the western slope of the mountain Kedros and is considered an ideal destination during the summer months with the coolness provided by the two plane trees in the middle of the village. It is said that the village Spili was named after the numerous caves that are scattered around it, but there are also some more versions about the origins of the name. The inhabitants of the village of Spili participated actively not only in the Cretan Revolt of 1866, but also sacrificed their lives in all the national struggles of Greece. Today, the permanent residents of the village are almost 800 and it gets more crowded during the summer period. Most houses in Spili have been damaged due to constant holocausts, therefore, the village has no particular architecture, but there are some newly built mansions. The central square and the main street are full of cafes, taverns and shops selling knitwear and embroidery. The village of Spili is a synonym for water, since its most characteristic attractions are the 25 fountains. Water, emerging from thirty-nine springs scattered around the area, flows from hydrants shaped as lions’ heads. These springs are believed to originate from Psiloritis. The centuries-old bridge of Kamara or otherwise Spiliani Bridge, which crosses the full-flowing river full of trout, and numerous traditional watermills preserved until today are sights of the village worth seeing. The E4 route crosses the area, right where the Kourtaliotis gorge starts, ending in the famous palm tree forest of Preveli.

85 locals recommend

Spili

26 Epar.Od. Rethimou-Agias Galinis

85 locals recommend

Village worth to visit. Spili is a village of the prefecture of Rethymno, an important node of southern Crete transport network, located approximately 30 km far from the city of Rethymno. Spili is a mountain village built at an altitude of 430 meters on the western slope of the mountain Kedros and is considered an ideal destination during the summer months with the coolness provided by the two plane trees in the middle of the village. It is said that the village Spili was named after the numerous caves that are scattered around it, but there are also some more versions about the origins of the name. The inhabitants of the village of Spili participated actively not only in the Cretan Revolt of 1866, but also sacrificed their lives in all the national struggles of Greece. Today, the permanent residents of the village are almost 800 and it gets more crowded during the summer period. Most houses in Spili have been damaged due to constant holocausts, therefore, the village has no particular architecture, but there are some newly built mansions. The central square and the main street are full of cafes, taverns and shops selling knitwear and embroidery. The village of Spili is a synonym for water, since its most characteristic attractions are the 25 fountains. Water, emerging from thirty-nine springs scattered around the area, flows from hydrants shaped as lions’ heads. These springs are believed to originate from Psiloritis. The centuries-old bridge of Kamara or otherwise Spiliani Bridge, which crosses the full-flowing river full of trout, and numerous traditional watermills preserved until today are sights of the village worth seeing. The E4 route crosses the area, right where the Kourtaliotis gorge starts, ending in the famous palm tree forest of Preveli.