Location Info
CHROMONASTIRI – RETHYMNO CITY
Crete RETHYMNO
Chromonastiri
The picturesque village of Chromonastiri is located 9.5 Kms southeast of Rethymno town, at the foot of Vrysinas Mountain. It has been classified as a preserved and traditional heritage site of great cultural value and it’s considered as one of the most important historic settlements of Rethymno. Chromonastiri means ‘Colour Monastery’ after the Byzantine church dating from the 11th century. Also, in the years 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Chromonastiri received an award of the ‘”cleaner and organised traditional community”.
Within this pretty village there are numerous stone paths, historic alleys, buildings with Venetian architectural elements are scattered in the village, but the most imposing building is the so-called Villa Claudio, a magnificent mansion, which has been restored and now houses an Army museum. At the village’s square, within 100 meters walking distance, there is are two tavernas, a traditional cafe and a super market! Furthermore, a 5X5 football field and a children’s playground exist in the village. Additionally, its location and surrounding area makes it a perfect destination for a relaxing holiday close to nature!
Chromonastiri is ideally located 7 Kms from the beautiful sandy beach of Rethymno and it’s offered as a great base for exploring the nearby villages! The Mili Myli Gorge, a wonderful leafy area, can be found ust 2 Kms away, along the Amari Road. The gorge has some beautiful ruins of old houses and water mills that once formed the village. Huge mulberry, cypress and nut trees grow wild along the gorge’s edge. At the top of the gorge there is a small taverna where you can sit and sample some Cretan dishes whilst enjoying the view. There are also a several small ponds and a picnic area. Additionally, Roussospiti village, next to Chromonastiri, also a a preserved and traditional settlement, offers two traditional tavernas, playground, a cafe and mini market. Furthermore, in the nearby village of Saint Irene (Agia Irini) there is the homonymous old Monastery, which is considered to date back to the 14th century. After restoration works that started in 1989, the monastery was given a new life due to the eager activities of the nuns. There is an ecclesiastical museum in the Monastery area, called Holy Trinity Ecclesiastical museum of Saint Irene.Additionally, from the village you can easily reach the highway leading to Chania and Heraklion cities.
Destinations
Rethymno town: 7 Km (10 min drive)
Taverna & Mini Market: 70 meters (4 min walk )
General Hospital: 7 km (10 min drive)
Nearest Beach: 7 km (10 min drive)
Heraklion International Airport : 85 km (57 min drive)
Chania International Airport: 75 Km (51 min drive)
Car rental is essential to explore the nearby villages and unique sandy beach location
RETHYMNO CITY
Welcome to the city of Rethymnon, a place blessed with beauty, embraced by breathtaking mountains and the deep blue of the Mediterranean
Rethymnon stretches from the White Mountains to Psiloritis and covers a territory of 1496 sq. km with a population of 70,095 inhabitants.
The prefecture of Rethymno is the most mountainous region in Crete. 510 sqm οut of 1,496 sqm are agricultural land, 933 sqm are pastures, 36 sqm are covered by settlements and only 17 sq. km. are covered by Mediterranean forests of oak, pine and maple.
The Mediterranean climate is temperate and mostly dry-warm. The sunny days encounter about the 67% of the year and the temperature ranges from 12oC to 27oC. The prevailing winds are usually from the North and Northwest. Also winds from the southern are also strοng.
Rethymno with Psiloritis and the blue sea, with traces of 4,500 years of civilization, with numerous Byzantine churches and monasteries, with magical Venetian monuments, with the most well preserved Renaissance city in Greece, with endless beaches, caves, gorges, unique flora and fauna , is waiting for you.
sites of interest
in Chromonastiri and Rethymno in general there are many places of interest that are worth το visit.
EXLPORE CHROMONASTIRI
Church of Panayía Kerá
is a painted Byzantine church of cruciform shape with a dome, dating from the 11th century, with frescoes of 14th century.
Ayios Eftychios
Byzantine church of the 11th century,situated outside of Chromonastiri at the area called Perdíki Metóhi, again with amazing frescoes from 11th century (amazing are the huge eyes of the saints and especially of Christ).
The Parish Church
of this settlement is St. George Church.
Buildings – Villa Clodio
Villa Clodio (Military Museum): Building with Venetian architectural elements are scattered in the village.
The Villa Clodio, used to be the summer residence of Venetian nobles from Rethymno city and in the Ottoman period it was a house of an Ottoman dignitary (konak).It is a magnificent mansion. Today turned into Military Museum.
Military Museum
The Museum is located at the south end of the City Chromonastiri
In 1985 the building (Villa Clodio) was donated to the Chromonastiri community by the then owner (A. Kotsampasaki)
and AT 1997 the community decided to dispose of the General Staff for the restoration and establishment of the Military Museum.
The museum was restored according to the schedule of TER 736 in autumn 2003 and until 2009 this building was left unused.
In January 2010 the General mr.Frangoulis Frangos visited the Museum and took the decision on its activation.
Today is an activate Museum.
Working Hours
Monday – Friday: 08: 00-13: 30
Saturday – Sunday: The museum is open on holidays with announcements in the local press or after contact(Tel 28310-75135) for group tours for clubs,
players, etc.
Address
Military Museum Rethymnon Chromonastiri Rethymno, GR74100
Telephones Communication-Fax
Tel .: 28310-75135 – Fax .: 28310-75135
Olive Oil Museum
The oil mill of Prinari: The old factory (oil mill) of Prinari, fully renovated, with all its old equipment,located in the settlement, welcomes visitors to its cultural learning centre for an experience to learn all things relating to the olive and its milling process.
Festivities
The village celebrates Saint Panteleimon’s name day (27 July)
Miscellaneous
There is public bus service (KTEL) from Rethymno (two services, morning and noon on weekdays and not weekends)
Since 7 July 2005 the area of Chromonastiri is included in the Cadastre system and is under the authority of the Cadastral Office of Rethymno.
20 Hortatzis Str., ZIP: 74100, Rethymno, Phone n.: 0030-28310-22403
explore rETHYMNO
