Roussospiti - Rethymno

Roussospiti is a local community of the Rethymno Municipality in the Rethymno (regional unit) of the region of Crete established by Kallikratis reform. Previously, it was part of the former municipality of Rethymno. Capital of the new municipality is Rethymnon. It is a traditional settlement and is classified in Class II, that is of average cultural value (Government Gazette 728/21-9-1995).

Geography, origin of name, history

It is located 6 km southeast of Rethymno at an altitude of 400 meters, built in the 12th century by Venetians, as evidenced by the Venetian buildings in the village (arches, gates, fountain). At that time, a house ("spiti", in Greek) was built in the village, and this was called "Russo", i.e. red (russo+spiti=red house), and the village took its name after that. Others say that a Russian (Roussa) woman had built a house in the village, and that could be the origin of its name (the house of the Russian =roussospiti). 157 inhabitants were recorded in 1583. Later on, it was occupied by the Ottomans. The village lies on the slope of Vrisinas at an altitude of 300 meters. Apart from many Venetian houses, there is also a fountain of the 17th century and the church of Virgin Mary in this settlement. You can enjoy magnificent sea view (to the north).

Attractions: Monuments, Temples, important buildings

The Virgin Mary is a small one-room church, like most churches of Crete. Built in the early 14th century. The Christ of the Crucifixion is one of the best preserved frescoes of the church and one of the most dynamic forms of Cretan art.

The Fountain of Roussospiti: It dates back to the 17th century. Gerola described it as "graceful", a characterisation, which, on a closer look, one must agree with. The spout has the shape of a lion's head.

Monastery of Aghia Irini (Saint Eirene), is situated near Roussospiti. This very old monastery is considered to date back to the 14th century. After restoration works were started in 1989, the monastery was given new life due to the eager activities of the nuns. There is an ecclisiastical museum in the Monastery area, called Holy Trinity Ecclisiastical museum of Agia Irini.

Rethimno has many historic buildings remaining from the Venetian occupation of Crete (17th century) including the Fortessa and the lighthouse. There is a small park in the centre with a very small zoo containing some Cretan mountain goats.

Beaches

The good sandy beach begins in the town of Rethymno and extends several miles to the east, backed by hotel developments. In the west, after a little industrial area, a rocky unspoilt coastline takes you towards another good beach 5 miles to the west of Rethimno, towards Georgiopoli.

Do

Boat trips are available from Rethymno's harbour.

Eat

Pitta Gyros / Pitta Souvlaki

Very nice restaurants are located inside the city of Rethymno. The restaurants on the beach front are tourist oriented, though food quality is okay (though lower than in most of the small tavernas in the back streets). As the quality changes every season with new cooks/managements, your hotel receptionists will be able to suggest good ideas.

Drink

In Rethymno, most of the bars close to the Rimondi Fountain are noisy and get very busy, but ok if you like to watch the crowd pass by. There are more relaxing places in the narrow streets nearby. Try the "Punch Bowl" just like a traditional Irish pub, it is full of curios and the landlady who is also Irish serves a great pint of Guinness. It' situated at number 42 Arabatzoglou.

For a late night drink try "Extreme" a good venue for rock music, it's in the lane between the museum and the harbour. There are more disco style bars close by. The promenade has mostly cocktail bars which are modern and brightly lit, with music going on to the early hours.

Also try "Metropolis" music club near the Venetian harbour.

Go next

From the bus station there are regular services to coastal towns on the Cretan south-coast, like Plakias, Preveli and Agia Galini.
The daily ferry to Pireaus (Athens) leaves at 20:00.

Michellaneous

The village celebrates Agia Paraskevi’s name day (26 July).