Myrthios is a green village at the foot of Vrysinas. It lies at an altitude of 480 metres and 20 kilometres from Rethymno. The linear centre extends along both sides of the road from Armenoi to Prasies. Its elevation, distance and location along the road offer different points of reference for placing the village geographically.

Village layout and historical traces

The earliest written mention of Myrthios dates from the Venetian period, when the village was a fief of a Venetian family. The striking building of the cultural association also stands out in the village. Together, an early written reference and a distinctive building offer two different ways of understanding the village’s history and character.

In the wider area around Myrthios, fortified tower ruins with loopholes, known as Koulédes, stand on mountain heights. The village’s main road defines its linear centre, while the Koulédes belong to the surrounding area. This distinction helps place the village’s history in context by separating the village itself from the historical remains nearby.

Rethymno: town, coast and culture

In the wider Rethymno destination, the Old Town is designated as a protected historical monument and a traditional settlement. Its urban layout took shape during the Venetian period and was later altered under Turkish rule. The historic town centre lies below the Venetian Fortezza fortress. Rethymno Beach begins at the historic town centre and stretches 12 kilometres eastwards to Scaleta; its sand is fine-grained and light brown. The Venetian harbour is also part of the coast of the municipality of Rethymno.

Rethymno’s museums also cover 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 of Rethymno is housed in a 17th-century Venetian mansion. Its permanent exhibition, displayed in five rooms, features traditional crafts and folk art.

In the wider Rethymno destination, Chromonastiri is designated as a historic settlement worthy of preservation. The Military Museum of Chromonastiri is housed in a Venetian villa built in 1610 for the Clodio family. One room covers the historic Battle of Crete; the museum also displays weapons dating from the Greek Revolution of 1821 to the Second World War. At Arkadi Monastery, the double-aisled Church of Saint Constantine and the Transfiguration of the Saviour was built in 1587. The building, dating from the period of Venetian rule, features elements of Renaissance architecture. Following the revolution of 1866–1869, the monastery became an eternal symbol of freedom.

The Armeni necropolis is an extensive Late Minoan cemetery where more than 220 tombs have been excavated. These are family tombs in which several deceased people were buried. The grave goods shed light on the art, religion and social organisation of the time. These remains differ from Rethymno’s town museums: here the focus is on burial customs, while the museums feature the prefecture’s archaeology or traditional crafts.

Discover more destinations: Pagkalochori, Lambi, Panormos, Charkia, Chromonastiri, Kare, Melidoni, Armenoi

For the main travel guide: Rethymno.