Churches and traces of a former fortification shape the local history of Viranepiskopi. Those who choose the village for a stay will find concrete starting points here for a cultural and historical discovery; the wider destination of Rethymno adds its own themes, from museums to the coast.

Churches and Venetian Traces in Viranepiskopi

Agios Nikolaos is the main church in Viranepiskopi. The cemetery church of Agios Georgios is a separate church; the village is also home to a church dedicated to Agios Ioannis Chrysostomos. These names and functions provide a clear guide to the local churches without implying that the three places of worship are the same.

The history of the fortification can also be traced through a surviving detail: during the Venetian period, Viranepiskopi was surrounded by a wall with a central entrance gate. Traces of this gate remain. On the edge of the village, Agioi Anargyroi stands on the foundations of the early Christian three-aisled Basilica of Agia Irini, dating from the 10th to 11th century. The term “three-aisled” describes the layout of the basilica; together with the foundations and the dating, it makes this site a distinct chapter in local architectural history.

Another church building is located outside the village: Agios Dimitrios lies approximately 1.2 kilometres southwest of Viranepiskopi. The church has three vaulted aisles and a smaller vaulted structure on its south side. This clearly distinguishes the local churches from the nearby church, while allowing each to be considered on its own architectural merits.

Rethymno: Old Town and Museums

In the wider destination of Rethymno, the Old Town is designated a protected historic monument and 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. These features give the town centre a different historical scale from the surviving traces of the central gate in Viranepiskopi.

The museums 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; its permanent exhibition presents traditional crafts and folk art in five rooms. Those interested in material culture can readily distinguish between these two themes: archaeological periods on the one hand, and crafts and folk art on the other.

Further regional historical sites extend beyond the city. The Armeni Necropolis is an extensive Late Minoan cemetery where more than 220 tombs have been excavated. The tombs were family tombs containing several deceased individuals; their grave goods provide information about art, religion and the social organisation of the time. Exhibitions at the Museum of the Archaeological Site of Eleftherna show life in ancient Eleftherna from the late millennia of the 4th millennium BC through to the Byzantine period. The museum is the first archaeological site museum in Crete.

Coastal Scenery and Recurring Events

The wider destination of Rethymno includes a 12-kilometre-long beach that begins at the historic town centre and stretches eastwards to Scaleta. Its sand is fine-grained and light brown. A separate conservation measure applies in the municipal district of Arkadi: loggerhead sea turtles nest on a sandy beach there, and systematic measures are carried out to protect them.

Events may also influence when you choose to travel. The Rethymno Renaissance Festival takes place every summer and features music, theatre and dance performances, as well as art exhibitions. The Rethymno Carnival is a traditional event with a parade organised each year by volunteers. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the specific event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Bali, Armenoi, Sfakaki, Argiroupoli, Pikris, Mikro Metochi, Petrochori, Maroulas.

For the wider travel overview: Rethymno.