The province of Rethymnon lies between the White
Mountains (Lefka Ori) in the west and the Ida Mountains in the east. To
the east of Rethymnon stretch long, sandy beaches. The resorts of Panormos
and Bali, each with a
cosy fishing port fringed by terraces, make a pleasing contrast to the other
resorts lining the beaches.
Along the southern coast, where the cliffs drop steeply into the
sea and where several spectacular gorges end their journey, there are only a few
villages such as Agia Galini,
Rodakino
with many lonely and hidden beaches in between.
The landscape between the north and south coasts is varied and
the lush Amari Valley is especially beautiful. The Psiloritis, highest mountain
on Crete, towers over the valley. Experienced climbers, who venture up to the
Timios Stavros at 2,456 m, are rewarded with a breathtaking view of almost the
whole of the island. The village of Amari on the northwest side of the valley is
at least 1,500 years old. The whole area is seeped in the history of different
eras from Minoan and Byzantine to Venetian and Turkish and many important
archaeological finds have been made. In many of the Byzantine churches there are
well-preserved frescos to be seen.
Of further interest are some outlying villages in the
countryside around Rethymnon, where traditional handicrafts are still very much
alive and worthwhile to visit, for example the pottery producing village of Margarites
and the shepherd's village of Anogia.
There is also Arkadi Monastery,
which has existed since the 14th century and which is today the national symbol
of Crete's fight for freedom against the Turkish occupation. Every year a
memorial service takes place here on 8th November to commemorate the freedom
fighters and their families, who committed mass suicide in 1866 when the
Monastery came under fierce attack.
The people in this part of Crete are exceptionally proud of
their past history.
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