About Crete

Explore The Area

Minoan civilisation centred at Knossos east of Rethymno. Rethymno itself began a period of growth when the Venetian conquerors of the island decided to put an intermediate commercial station between Heraklion and Chania, acquiring its own bishop and nobility in the process. Today's old town (palia poli) was almost entirely built by the Republic of Venice. It is one of the best-preserved old towns in Crete.

From circa 1250 the city was the seat of the Latin Diocese of Retimo, which was renamed Retimo–Ario after the absorption in 1551 of the Diocese of Ario and as suppressed only after the Turkish conquest. The town still maintains its old aristocratic appearance, with its buildings dating from the 16th century, arched doorways, stone staircases, Byzantine and Hellenic-Roman remains, the small Venetian harbour and narrow streets.

The Venetian Loggia houses the information office of the Ministry of Culture and Sports. A Wine Festival is held there annually at the beginning of July. Another festival, in memory of the destruction of the Arkadi Monastery, is held on 7–8 November. The city's Venetian-era citadel, the Fortezza of Rethymno, is one of the best-preserved castles in Crete. Other monuments include the Neratze mosque (the Municipal Odeon arts centre), the Great Gate ("Porta Guora"), the Piazza Rimondi and the Loggia. The town was captured by the Ottoman Empire in 1646 during the Cretan War (1645–69) and they ruled it for almost three centuries.

The town, called Resmo in Turkish, was the centre of a sanjak (administrative part of a province) during Ottoman rule. During the Battle of Crete (20–30 May 1941), the Battle of Rethymno was fought between German paratroopers and the Second Australian Imperial Force and Hellenic Army. 

Episkopi is a small town of the prefecture and county of Rethimno. It is located at the old national road of Rethimno - Hania, 22.5 km away from the city of Rethimno.

The town is built at 120 m a.s.l. overlooking the northern coast of Crete, and the green and fertile valley of Mousselas river.

Until 2010 it was the seat of the municipality of Lappeon and since january 2011 it belongs to the Municipality of Rethymnon.

Episkopi is the administrative and commercial center of the area, providing quite a few facilities.

The main occupation of its 900 inhabitants is agriculture, producing mainly olive oil.

The name Episcopi means bishopric, and is common to many villages in Crete, that used to house in the past the bishop's offices.

The religious past of the area is obvious now to the visitor, as there are everywhere churches, some of them with remarkable frescoes.

The village of Episkopi is fairly old, and is mentioned at the archives having 446 inhabitants before 1583.

Due to its geographical location, between Apokoronas and Rethimno, it used to be in the past and especially during the turkish occupation, the theatre of numerous battles.

Episkopi is accessible by regular bus transportation from the city of Rethimnon.

By car it is more convenient to follow the new national road, until the beach of Petre and then turn to the south - Total distance ~17km.