Argiroupoli: History and Springs

Argiroupoli brings together traces of several eras, Venetian mansions and traditional Cretan houses. Nearby are a well-preserved Greco-Roman cemetery and the springs of Agia Dynami, described as a lush oasis. Here, local history and landscape meet, without reducing Argiroupoli to just one side of Crete.

A Place with a Rich, Layered History

Argiroupoli has been a protected settlement since 1983. Remains in the village are associated with Minoan, Hellenistic, Byzantine and Roman civilizations. These different historical connections give the village’s history a broad timespan. Venetian mansions and traditional Cretan houses add two distinctive forms of architectural heritage to the picture. You can therefore get to know Argiroupoli both through its older remains and through its architecture.

Nearby sights offer their own highlights: near Argiroupoli, at Pente Parthenes, lies a well-preserved Greco-Roman cemetery with rock-cut tombs. The nearby springs of Agia Dynami are described as a lush oasis. The cemetery represents archaeological heritage, while the springs offer a scenic impression.

Rethymno as a Wider Travel Destination

Rethymno also has its own historical and scenic highlights. The Old Town of Rethymno is designated as a protected historic monument and traditional settlement. Its urban layout took shape during the Venetian period and was later altered under Turkish rule. The historic city centre lies below the Venetian Fortezza fortress. The municipality of Rethymno includes the Venetian harbour along its coastline; Rethymno Beach stretches for 12 kilometres eastwards from the historic city centre to Scaleta. Its fine-grained sand is light brown.

The museums in Rethymno offer further ways to explore the region’s history. Since 1991, the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno has been housed in a pentagonal building in front of the Fortezza’s main entrance. Its exhibitions present the history of the prefecture from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The Historical and Folklore Museum is housed in a 17th-century Venetian mansion. Five rooms in the permanent exhibition showcase traditional crafts and folk art. At the Museum of the Archaeological Site of Eleftherna, exhibitions illustrate life in ancient Eleftherna—from the late millennia of the 4th millennium BC through to the Byzantine period.

Events also shape Rethymno’s cultural offering: the Renaissance Festival takes place every summer, with music, theatre and dance performances as well as art exhibitions. The Rethymno Carnival is a traditional event; its parade is organised annually by volunteers. Before planning your trip, it is worth checking the relevant calendar for current event dates.

Choosing the Right Focus for Your Stay

When choosing a holiday apartment, you can start by asking yourself what you want your stay to focus on: Argiroupoli’s protected settlement, its diverse historical traces and nearby landscape, or the old town, museums, coast and events in the wider travel destination of Rethymno. If you plan to attend a festival, check the relevant event dates.

Discover more destinations: Episkopi, Eleftherna, Petrochori, Somatas, Axos, Myxorrouma, Bali, Myrthios.

View the wider travel guide: Rethymno.