Gallos lies at an elevation of 200 metres and 4.5 kilometres southwest of the city of Rethymno. The distance provides a clear sense of its location. Gallos has its own historical and ecclesiastical connections; Rethymno broadens the regional perspective with its old town, museums and coastline.
Historical traces in Gallos
In Venetian inscriptions from the 16th and 17th centuries, Gallos is mentioned under the name GALOU. The parish church of Panagia Gállou houses an icon of Christ enthroned, as well as other icons from the 18th century. Thus, an early modern reference to the name and ecclesiastical art from the 18th century stand alongside one another as distinct historical points of reference.
The feast of Panagia Galou in Gallos is celebrated on 15 August. If you are planning your trip specifically around the feast, check the latest event details in advance. The fixed date provides a concrete reference for planning when to visit, while the local celebrations themselves are the occasion.
Landscape and places in the surrounding area
East of Gallos lies the Gálliano Gorge, with dense vegetation and rare fauna. It adds a natural dimension to the village’s historical character. The Metochion of Saints Peter and Paul is also nearby. It is a metochion of the historic Arkadi Monastery and was restored in the early 1990s. The surroundings of Gallos thus include both a gorge with the natural features described here and a place with monastic connections.
Rethymno: City History, Museums and Coastline
The old town of Rethymno is designated both a protected historic monument and a traditional settlement. Its urban layout took shape during the Venetian period and was later modified during Ottoman rule. The historic city centre lies below the Venetian Fortezza fortress. Its protected status, historical development and position below the fortress offer different perspectives on the old town.
The museums in Rethymno also focus on different subjects. 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. In five rooms of its permanent exhibition, it displays traditional crafts and folk art. Thus, the archaeological timeline extends to Roman times, while the other museum focuses on traditional crafts and folk art.
The coastal area of the municipality of Rethymno is another regional highlight. Rethymno Beach is 12 kilometres long, beginning at the historic city centre and stretching eastwards to Scaleta. Its sand is fine-grained and light brown. The municipality’s coastline also includes the Venetian harbour. These coastal features describe Rethymno and complement Gallos’s own local and historical connections.
Discover more destinations: Gonia, Viranepiskopi, Adele, Kerames, Roumeli, Charkia, Spili, Drosia
For the main travel overview: Rethymno.
