Chromonastiri: Vrysinas, Villa Clodio and Venetian history

Chromonastiri lies at an altitude of 360 metres on the foothills of Vrysinas. Its elevation gives the village a distinct connection to the landscape; routes also lead here, linking trip planning with historic sites. Mountain scenery, museums and Byzantine architecture thus come together as different themes for a stay.

Museums and history in Chromonastiri

Within the wider destination of Rethymno, Chromonastiri is designated as a historic and preserved settlement. The Military Museum of Chromonastiri is housed in a Venetian villa belonging to the Clodio family, built in 1610. One of the museum’s rooms hosts temporary exhibitions featuring photographs from various historical periods. The museum also includes a room dedicated to the historic Battle of Crete and weapons dating from the Greek Revolution of 1821 to the Second World War. The Prinaris Mill adds a different thematic focus: the former olive mill has been converted into a folklore museum. The Military Museum and the Folklore Museum thus offer different ways of exploring the village’s history.

Routes through the gorge and up to the highlands

The Rethymno–Prasses route passes through the small, green Mili Gorge before climbing to Chromonastiri, where Villa Clodio, home to the Military Museum, is located. The Vrysinas route offers another perspective: it continues to Chromonastiri, where a stop at the Byzantine Chapel of the Virgin Mary of Keras is recommended. The difference is clear when planning: the Rethymno–Prasses route highlights the Mili Gorge and the climb, while the Vrysinas route focuses on a stop at the chapel. This lets you decide whether you would rather include gorge scenery or a Byzantine building among your travel interests.

The wider destination of Rethymno

Rethymno’s Old Town is a historic destination in its own right. It is designated as a protected historic monument and a traditional settlement. Its urban layout took shape during the Venetian period and was later altered during Turkish rule; the historic centre lies below the Venetian fortress, the Fortezza.

Since 1991, the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno has been housed in a pentagonal building in front of the Fortezza’s main entrance. Its exhibitions trace the history of the prefecture from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymno is housed in a 17th-century Venetian mansion and presents traditional crafts and folk art in five rooms of its permanent exhibition.

The coast of the municipality of Rethymno offers another distinctive feature: Rethymno Beach is twelve kilometres long, beginning at the historic city centre and extending eastwards to Scaleta. Its sand is fine-grained and light brown; the municipality’s coastline also includes the Venetian harbour.

Choosing a location for your holiday apartment is also a choice of focus: Chromonastiri puts routes and museums at the centre, while the Old Town and beach in the wider destination of Rethymno offer an urban and coastal focus. Consider which of these aspects you want to shape your stay before choosing where to search.

Discover more destinations: Aghia Triada, Platanos, Atsipades, Anógeia, Magnisia, Eleftherna, Perama, Argiroupoli

See the wider travel overview: Rethymno.