Gonia: Local history in the Rethymno destination

In Gonia, local traditions tell of a turbulent church history and events during the Ottoman period. This gives the village its own historical character within the wider Rethymno destination. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider whether you are mainly interested in the village’s history, or whether urban history, museums and the coast should also shape your stay.

Church history and local traditions from Gonia

Gonia’s main parish church is dedicated to Saint John the Theologian and was renovated in 1887. According to a local tradition, the church’s original icons were hidden to save them from destruction by the Turks. One of them, the icon of Saint John the Baptist, was later found, restored and placed in the church. Its dedication, renovation date and the account of the icons’ rescue offer several historical points of reference for the church’s history.

Gonia also appears under different names in dated historical references. In 1577, Francesco Barozzi called the village Gognamici. In the Venetian census of 1583, it appears as Gogna, with 121 inhabitants; Francesco Basilicata mentioned it in 1630 as Micigogna. The three entries record different spellings in clearly dated contexts.

During the Ottoman period, Gonia was a center of revolutionary activity. In this context, the village was burned down by Ottoman forces in 1770, 1821 and 1866. The history of nearby monasteries adds another perspective: Agia Eirini and Agia Anastasia date from the late 15th century. The Ottomans destroyed them because they supported Cretan rebels.

Another local tradition concerns Agia Anastasia, which was located near Gonia. A large bell and other valuable religious objects from the monastery are said to have been hidden in a well and never found again. This account and the history of the two monasteries show how closely religious traditions and the events of the uprisings are intertwined in local history.

Urban history, museums and archaeology in Rethymno

The wider Rethymno destination offers a broader range of historical topics. Rethymno’s Old Town is designated a protected historic monument and traditional settlement. Its urban layout developed during the Venetian period and was later reshaped under Turkish rule. The historic center lies below the Venetian Fortezza fortress. The traditions of Gonia therefore offer a different historical perspective from the development of an urban center through successive periods of rule.

Since 1991, the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno 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. Five rooms in the permanent exhibition of the Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymno, housed in a 17th-century Venetian mansion, showcase traditional crafts and folk art.

Rethymno also offers different ways to explore archaeological topics. The Museum of the Archaeological Site of Eleftherna is the first archaeological site museum in Crete. Its exhibitions cover life in ancient Eleftherna from the late 4th millennium BC to the Byzantine period. The Armeni necropolis, in turn, is an extensive Late Minoan cemetery where more than 220 tombs have been excavated. These were family tombs containing several deceased individuals; grave goods provide information about the art, religion and social organization of the time.

Coastal landscapes and recurring cultural events

The coast is another highlight of the Rethymno destination. Rethymno Beach is twelve kilometers long, beginning at the historic town center and stretching eastward to Scaleta. Its sand is fine-grained and light brown. Loggerhead sea turtles nest on the sandy beach in the Arkadi municipal district, and systematic measures are in place to protect them. These regional landscape and nature topics complement the picture of Gonia, where local traditions and church history take center stage.

Recurring events also add a distinctive cultural touch: the Rethymno Renaissance Festival takes place every summer, with music, theater and dance performances as well as art exhibitions. The Rethymno Carnival includes a parade organized annually by volunteers. If these dates matter to your travel plans, check the event schedule for your intended travel period.

When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to weigh up the vacation themes you want to prioritize: should Gonia and its local history take center stage, or would you also like to consider urban history, archaeology, cultural events and the coast when choosing your destination?

Discover more destinations: Triopetra, Platanés, Asteri, Karoti, Venio, Armenoi, Akoumia, Sises Geropotamos.

View the wider travel guide: Rethymno.