Chromonastiri lies at an altitude of 360 metres on the foothills of Vrysinas. Within the wider destination of Rethymno, Chromonastiri is designated as a historic settlement worthy of preservation. The village offers specific cultural and route-related points of interest to help you choose your destination: the main attractions are the Military Museum in Villa Clodio, the former Prinaris Mill and two route descriptions that lead to Chromonastiri.
Museum, Villa and Mill
Within the wider destination of Rethymno, the Military Museum of Chromonastiri is housed in a Venetian villa built in 1610 for the Clodio family. Its collection includes weapons dating from the Greek Revolution of 1821 to the Second World War. One room covers the historic Battle of Crete. Another room, used for temporary exhibitions, displays photographs from various historical periods. The same museum therefore brings together architectural history, military history and changing photographic exhibitions.
Prinaris Mill offers a different cultural focus: it was an olive mill and has been converted into a folklore museum. By contrast, Villa Clodio tells the story of a Venetian building dating from 1610, while the mill recalls its former use as an olive mill. These different histories of buildings and their uses give the description of the village more than one historical focus.
Routes with different highlights
The Vrysinas Route continues to Chromonastiri; a recommended stop is the Byzantine Chapel of the Virgin Mary of Keras. The Rethymno–Prasses route passes through the small, green Mili Gorge and then climbs up to Chromonastiri. Villa Clodio, which houses the Military Museum, is located there.
The route descriptions highlight different features: the Vrysinas Route focuses on the recommended stop at the chapel, while Rethymno–Prasses features Mili Gorge and the climb to the village. When planning, you can therefore choose according to the subject that interests you most, rather than treating both descriptions as equivalent excursions. Before your visit, check current trail conditions and access to the museum.
Rethymno as a distinct cultural and coastal destination
Within the wider destination of Rethymno, the Old Town offers its own historical setting. 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 under Turkish rule. The historic centre lies below the Venetian Fortezza.
The museums in Rethymno also have a different focus from the attractions in Chromonastiri. 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 is housed in a 17th-century Venetian mansion; its permanent exhibition displays traditional crafts and folk art in five rooms.
The wider destination of Rethymno also includes a distinctive coastline. Rethymno Beach is 12 kilometres long, begins at the historic city centre and stretches eastwards to Scaleta. Its sand is fine-grained and light brown. The Venetian harbour is also part of the coastline of the Municipality of Rethymno. These urban and coastal attractions differ from Chromonastiri’s high-altitude setting, museum and route connections.
Rethymno’s cultural programme offers seasonal highlights: 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; the annual carnival parade is organised by volunteers. If one of these dates matters for your trip, check the specific event dates in advance.
When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to first decide on the focus of your trip: would you like to centre it on Chromonastiri, with its museum, mill and routes, or on the Old Town, museums, coastline and cultural programme in the wider destination of Rethymno?
Discover more destinations: Erfoi, Nithafri, Kirianna, Roumeli, Axos, Bali, Atsipades, Arkadi.
To the wider travel overview: Rethymno.
