Myrthios: a green village at the foot of Vrysinas

Myrthios is a green village at the foot of Vrysinas, first mentioned in writing during the Venetian period. The village lies at an altitude of 480 metres and 20 kilometres from Rethymno. These location profiles offer an initial guide when looking for a holiday apartment: Myrthios is a village at the foot of the mountains, while Rethymno, with its old town and coast, offers a distinct urban setting.

Village Layout and Mountain-Foot Setting

The linear centre of Myrthios extends along both sides of the road from Armenoi to Prasies. Together with its location at the foot of Vrysinas, this gives the village a character shaped by the village and mountain landscape. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can compare this setting with the historic urban landscape of Rethymno and consider which type of place better suits your planned stay. The stated distance of 20 kilometres provides a geographical guide between the two places.

Venetian Traces and Koulédes

The earliest written mention of Myrthios dates to the Venetian period, when the village was a fief of a Venetian family. The striking building of the cultural association is also one of the village’s notable structures. In the wider area around Myrthios, fortified tower ruins with loopholes stand on mountain heights. They are called Koulédes. These ruins are located in the wider area, not necessarily within the village itself. Thus, Myrthios’s history brings together early written records and a distinctive building in the village, alongside another chapter of fortified architecture in the area.

Rethymno: Old Town, Coast, and Urban History

Rethymno offers a distinct historical and scenic point of reference. The old town of Rethymno 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. Rethymno’s historic city centre lies below the Venetian fortress of Fortezza. This makes it possible to compare Myrthios’s village settlement with an urban fabric shaped by a long history.

The Venetian harbour belongs to the coast of the municipality of Rethymno. Rethymno Beach is 12 kilometres long, beginning at the historic city centre and extending eastwards to Scaleta. Its sand is fine-grained and light brown. For those weighing up a village setting at the foot of the mountains against an old town and the coast when planning a holiday, these are distinct, specifically described location profiles rather than simply a list of accommodation types.

Museums and Culture in Rethymno

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. The Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymno offers a different perspective; it is housed in a 17th-century Venetian mansion. Five rooms in its permanent exhibition showcase traditional handicrafts and folk art. Rethymno thus brings together archaeological history and traditional crafts as distinct cultural highlights.

Events also add to Rethymno’s cultural profile: the Renaissance Festival takes place every summer, featuring music, theatre, and dance performances, as well as art exhibitions. The Rethymno Carnival is a traditional event, and volunteers organise the carnival parade every year. These differences can help you choose where to stay: Myrthios offers the feel of a green village at the foot of the mountains, while Rethymno, with its old town, museums, coast, and recurring cultural events, appeals to different interests. First decide which surroundings you want to shape your stay, then base your search for a holiday apartment on that choice.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Koxare, Nithafri, Agia Fotini, Adele, Argiroupoli, Roumeli, Spili, Kirianna.

For the main travel overview: Rethymno.