In Roústika, a distinctive cultural connection leads to the Anagnostaki Centre: it is housed in the home where Anestis, the poet’s father, grew up, and has been operating since 2010. South of the village is the Prophitis Ilias Monastery, with a bell tower whose construction date is recorded in an inscription. These places give a trip to Roústika a clear historical focus.
The Anagnostaki Centre and its exhibitions
The centre houses two permanent exhibitions: “Μανόλης Αναγνωστάκης: Ποιητής και πολίτης” and “Ο Ανέστης και η οικογένεια Αναγνωστάκη”. Their titles alone offer different perspectives: one connects Manolis Anagnostakis with his role as a poet and citizen, while the other places Anestis and the Anagnostaki family at the centre. Together, they lead from the poet’s public profile to the family history, which is also linked to the centre’s building.
The exhibits include photographs and archival material. This material comes mainly from the archives of the poet Manolis Anagnostakis, his sister Loula Anagnostaki, and his friend Milto Polyviou of Thessaloniki. The different names and archives bring the exhibition themes to life: alongside the poet himself, family connections and his circle of friends also come into view. For travellers interested in literary and family history, the centre is a natural starting point for getting to know Roústika.
Historic sites in Roústika
The Prophitis Ilias Monastery stands south of the village. The monastery church’s bell tower was built in 1637; an inscription records the year. This links a precisely dated architectural detail with the monastery’s location south of Roústika. Visitors interested in historic buildings will find a different perspective here than at the Anagnostaki Centre: the focus is not on a poet’s family history, but on a single architectural detail.
The Museum of Greek Costumes is also among the village’s historic cultural attractions. During a guided tour on 1 June 2013, it showcased the extensive collection of the Frantzeskakis couple. This tour took place in the past. If you are planning to visit the museum, check its current accessibility in advance.
Culture in the wider destination of Rethymno
The wider destination of Rethymno broadens the picture to include urban history, archaeology and folk art. 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 during Ottoman rule. The historic town centre lies below the Venetian fortress of Fortezza.
The museums also cover a range of 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, by contrast, is housed in a Venetian mansion dating from the 17th century. Five rooms in its permanent exhibition display traditional crafts and folk art.
In Chromonastiri, designated as a historic settlement worthy of preservation, the Military Museum is housed in a Venetian villa built in 1610 for the Clodio family. One room is dedicated to 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 church offers another architectural point of interest: built in 1587, it is a structure from the Venetian period featuring elements of Renaissance architecture. After the 1866–1869 revolution, the monastery became an eternal symbol of freedom.
The regional options can be grouped by theme: Roústika brings together the poet, his family and village history, while Rethymno adds urban history, archaeology and a range of museum themes. Then tailor your search to the focus you prefer.
Discover more destinations: Choumeri, Damnoni, Kare, Vlichada, Gonia, Viranepiskopi, Kerames, Loutra
Back to the wider travel guide: Rethymno.
