Gállos: History, Elevation and Surroundings

Gállos lies at an elevation of 200 metres and 4.5 kilometres southwest of the city of Rethymno. Its elevation and position relative to the city provide two concrete reference points for planning your trip. Before looking for a holiday apartment, you can consider whether the history and traditions of Gállos or the urban culture of Rethymno should shape your stay.

History and Traditions in Gállos

In Venetian inscriptions from the 16th and 17th centuries, Gállos appears under the name GALOU. This historical form of the name connects the village with a specific trace from that period. The parish church of Panagia Gállou houses an icon of Christ enthroned, as well as other icons from the 18th century. Those interested in religious art will therefore find a local subject here that differs from the history of the city of Rethymno.

Another regular event in the annual calendar is the feast of Panagia Galou, celebrated on August 15. The date provides a clear point of reference if you are planning your trip around local traditions.

Landscape and Historic Sites Nearby

The Gálliano Gorge lies east of Gállos. Dense vegetation and rare fauna characterize the Gálliano Gorge. The gorge thus adds a natural dimension to the range of travel interests, while the inscriptions and icons are more relevant to historical and cultural interests.

The Metochion of Peter and Paul is also located near Gállos. It is a metochion of the historic Arkadi Monastery and was restored in the early 1990s. Its institutional connection to the monastery and the period of its restoration give the site its own historical context, without equating it with the churches and festivals in the village.

Rethymno: Urban Culture and Coast

Rethymno offers a broader urban historical context. The Old Town is designated as a protected historic monument and a traditional settlement. Its urban layout took shape during the Venetian period and was later altered under Turkish rule. The historic centre lies below the Venetian Fortezza fortress. Thus, the local attractions of Gállos can be contrasted with an Old Town whose development was shaped by several successive periods of rule.

The museums in Rethymno also focus on different subjects. Since 1991, the Archaeological Museum has been housed in a pentagonal building in front of the main entrance to the Fortezza. Its exhibitions present the history of the prefecture from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The Historical and Folklore Museum showcases traditional crafts and folk art in five rooms of its permanent exhibition; it is housed in a Venetian mansion dating from the 17th century. These subjects offer a different perspective from the icons and Venetian traces in the name of Gállos.

For a trip that takes in different landscapes, the coast of the Municipality of Rethymno is also part of the bigger picture. Rethymno Beach is twelve kilometres long, begins at the historic city centre, and stretches eastward to Scaleta. Its sand is fine-grained and light brown; the coast also includes the Venetian harbour. In summer, the Rethymno Renaissance Festival features music, theatre and dance performances, as well as art exhibitions. Carnival is another traditional event: the parade is organised by volunteers every year.

When choosing a holiday apartment, it helps to weigh these attractions against one another: Gállos offers connections to local history, icons, an annual feast day, and the nearby gorge; Rethymno adds the Old Town, museums, the coast, and seasonal events to the comparison. Gállos’s location 4.5 kilometres southwest of the city gives you a sense of its geographical position. Which accommodation suits your trip depends on which of these subjects you would most like to explore.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Drosia, Roústika, Petrochori, Pagkalochori, Kato Rodakino, Fourfouras, Agia Galini, Myxorrouma.

For the broader travel overview: Rethymno.