A local description updated on June 8, 2023, describes Sellía as a traditional, lively mountain village with 316 residents.
Mountain Village and Landscape
The village stretches across a mountain saddle on the southeastern slope of 1,310-meter-high Krioneritis and lies at an elevation of about 280 meters. The slopes of two hills also shape its setting. From Sellía, views extend to Plakias Bay, Souda Bay and the island of Gavdos; the village also offers a view of the Libyan Sea. The viewpoints encompass two bays, an island and the Libyan Sea, so the landscape cannot be reduced to a single bay. Rethymno is about 35 kilometers from Sellía. For choosing a destination, Sellía combines the character of a mountain village with sea views.
Churches and Monastic History
The sacred sites vary in scale. Sellía has 15 Byzantine-era churches; Agios Fotis is in the eastern part of the settlement. Below the village stands the Chapel of Saints Fotios and Anikito, which dates from the 14th century. Some frescoes remain on its north wall. Agios Fotis is an example within the settlement, while the chapel below the village, with its date and frescoes, provides a distinct historical point of interest. Those interested in sacred architecture can compare the churches in the village with this individual building.
The monastery also contributes to Sellía’s cultural history. Its reconstruction was completed in April 2023; afterward, it housed the Sellía Local History and Ecclesiastical Museum. While the chapel dates from the 14th century, the monastery combines a more recent reconstruction with subsequent use as a museum.
Kotsifou Gorge and Local Traditions
Kotsifou Gorge is another landscape highlight. Its entrance is near Sellía; it also forms the northern approach to the village. The gorge stretches from Kanevos to Plakias and can also be viewed from the road. Its location near Sellía and its role as the northern approach help orient visitors to the village; its course between Kanevos and Plakias shows its greater extent. If you plan to view it from the road, check local conditions, as road conditions may vary.
Sellía has tavernas and coffee houses. These are also places to stop for a break between visits, adding a local everyday dimension to the village’s sacred and natural attractions. Traditional celebrations include sheep shearing, grape harvesting, a fishing festival, traditional cuisine, and a raki and tourism festival. The celebrations cover themes ranging from agriculture and fishing to cuisine and tourism. If you would like to include one of these festivals in your trip, check in advance whether and when it is held. When choosing a hotel in Sellía, consider whether the mountain-village character, sacred history or Kotsifou Gorge will be the deciding factor for your stay.
Discover more destinations: Rodakino, Adelianos Kampos, Agia Paraskevi, Mikro Metochi, Magnisia, Lambi, Arkadi, Petrochori.
See the main travel overview: Rethymno.
