THE PREFECTURE OF RETHYMNO - INFORMATIONS

Access

Airports: Rethymnon is served by the airports of Chania and Heraklion.
Port: There is direct connection all year round from the port of Rethymnon to Piraeus.
Buses: Public buses can be used daily for travelling to Chania, Heraklion, Siteia and to the most of the townships and villages of the prefecture of Rethymnon.
Highways: The main transport routes in the province are a) the new national highway which runs parallel with the north coast, b) the old national highway, which is situated slightly south of the new road, and c) Rethymnon - Spili - Agia Galini - Sfakia road which runs north –south.

Natural Geography

Rethymnon stretches from the White Mountains until Mount Psiloritis, bordered by the provinces of Hania and Iraklion. It covers an area of about 1.496 km2. The largest mountain ranges of the White Mountains, Psiloritis and Kouloukounas and the secondary ones of Kedros, Asiderotas and Vrisinas form a network of valleys, the main one of which is Milopotamos and the two valleys of Amari.
The few flat areas are found near the north and south coasts, while the plateau of Nida stretches over the mountainous mass of Psiloritis. The city of Rethymnon with its 23,126 inhabitants is the capital of the province. Smaller population centres are Anogia, Spili, Perama and Episkopi. The villages of the province have a small and constantly dwindling number of inhabitants, which average about 180 persons.

Countryside and climate

Rethymnon is Crete's most mountainous province. Of its 1.496 km2, 507 km2 are cultivated, 936 km2 are pasture, 36 km2 are covered by settlements and only 17 km2 are covered by Mediterranean oak, pine and maple-tree forest.
The climate is mild Mediterranean and particularly dry and warm. There is sunshine 67% of the year and temperatures range from 12°C to 27°C. The prevailing winds are northerly and north-westerly, while occasional hot southerly arrive from the African continent with great strength.
While the environmental condition of the countryside is relatively good, the centuries of farming and grazing are beginning to take their toll. The quality of sea water is still amongst the best in Europe. Many of the mountains have been stripped due to overgrazing and summer forest fires.
Of the eight types of the land of the province (plains, semi-mountainous, sub-alpine, coastal, wetlands and gorges) only in the last two has human presence not been strongly felt.
The two most interesting gorges for wildlife are those of Patsos and Prasses.

Main products of Crete:

• Olive oil

• Dairy products

• Honey

• Wine

Flora

The island is famous for its rich flora; of the total number of plants, which flourish throughout Europe, approximately 70% are found on Crete. Thyme, oregano, savory, mint, dittany, chicory, sage, marjoram and many other aromatic plants rich in protein are characteristically found everywhere on the island.

Festivals

• During the summer, since 1987, the Municipality of Rethymno organises a Renaissance Festival in the town of Rethymno. In the Fortezza Theatre “Erophili”, visitors can enjoy theatrical plays, music performances, exhibitions of paintings, speeches, dancing performances, pantomimes and film projections.

• In the end of July a Wine Festival is organised in the Municipal Garden of Rethymno Town. Visitors can enjoy traditional Cretan and Greek folklore music and dances. Wine is free for everyone, giving the possibility to taste all the varieties of the famous and excellent Cretan wines.

• "Vardinoyannia" meeting was first held in 1985, and since then it is being organized every year by the Athletic Club "Enosi Atromitou Rethymniakou", under the auspices of the Greek Sports Ministry and in cooperation with SEGAS. The competitions took place in the new - Olympic Standards - DAK Gallos Stadium "PAVLOS I. VARDINOYANNIS" of Rethymno.

• In the middle of August the village of Anogia organises a Cultural Festival. During this festival visitors have the possibility to listen the magical sound of Lyra (traditional lyre) and experience all kinds of cultural activities.

• In August the 15th the celebration of the Holy Virgin is held with religious ceremonies and great feasts with food, wine and dances all around the prefecture of Rethymno and in the entire island of Crete.

• The feast day of the Holy Cross celebrated on the 14th of September in the village of Axos followed by a huge feast.

• During the summer Municipality of Kouloukonas organizes the Talaia festival.

• The grandest Carnival of Crete is organised in Rethymno Town and is one of the most impressive of Greece, along with the one of Patras (in Peloponnesus). On Shrove Thursday a street party is organised and is the largest open-air party of Crete with all kinds of music, wine, appetizers and lot of fun. Another party is organised on the Sunday before the great parade during which the participating group are dressed up and perform various sketches. The party includes food, wine and dances until dawn. On Shrove Friday a “rehearsal” of the big day takes place during which all the participants present their masks and carriages. When Shore Monday arrives, the entire town becomes an explosion of colour and music; everybody is masqueraded and sings, dances and drinks all night long. During the same day, in the picturesque mountainous villages of the prefecture of Rethymno, old traditions and customs revive for a magical and unique Carnival with games, performances, happenings and satires.

• On the 8th of November the commemoration of the Arkadi Holocaust is taking place in the entire prefecture and a religious ceremony is held in the monastery of Arkadi where locals bring flowers to the hundreds of Cretan who died there in the 19th century in order to avoid surrender to the Turks.