Chromonastiri

Chromonastiri (Greek Χρομοναστήρι also Χρωμοναστήρι (n. sg. ) ) Is a village in the municipality of Rethymno in the town of Rethymno on the Greek Mediterranean island of Crete. Because of the conservation status of Venetian houses, ihrems historical and architectural value and the rural character of the site is a listed building.

Location

Chromonastiri is located about six kilometers south-west of Rethymno at the foothills of Vrysinas ( Βρύσινας ) in 360 meters height. Other three hamlets belong to the village, Prinedes ( Πρινέδες ) immediately adjacent to the north, and Kapediana ( Καπεδιανά ) about 1.2 kilometers to the west and Myli ( Μύλοι ) is 1.5 miles northwest. The nearest town is Rousospiti 1.5 km north-west.

Name Origin and History

The name is composed of the words color and monastery; this name is probably due to the connection of the village with the monastery of Panagia Kera in Byzantine and Venetian times. The result is the place in the 12th and 13th centuries; from this period are also several Venetian buildings.

Churches and other places of interest

The origins of cross-domed church of Panagia Kera ( Παναγία Κερά ) date back to the 11th century, a total of four phases can be detected. The northern and southern wing is rounded, like an apse. For the separation of church and chancel a wall was drafted in the 14th century, in the same century, the church was enlarged westward later. At the transition from the 15th century to the 16th century, the cultivation of a single-nave chapel followed, this is dedicated to Agia Anna. Frescoes are preserved in several layers, the oldest dating to the 11th century, most of the second half of the 14th century.

The church of Agios Eftychios ( Άγιος Ευτύχιος ) is located about 1.5 km northeast of the village above a dry brook in the area Perdiki metohi. Presumably there is a church founded by Ioannis Xenos in the second half of the 10th century. Although the church has the appearance of a three-aisled basilica from the outside, it belongs to the type Cross-domed churches, because the west and east wings are compared to the north and south wings extended significantly. The frescoes date from the 11th century.

Of the numerous buildings of Venetian origin Villa Clodio is the most important. The villa is situated at the southern end and today houses the Military Museum. It was used of the noble Venetian family Clodio as a summer residence. During Ottoman times it was the seat of the Agha. In 1985 the then owner donated the building to the village, the transfer of ownership to the General Staff of the Greek Army ( ΓΕΣ ) to establish a military museum took place in 1997., The building was from autumn 2003 to 2009 extensively renovated in January 2010, the museum began operations.

The old oil mill from Prinari been completely renovated and preserved old equipment for the production of olive oil.

Others

On 27 July, the village celebrates the name day of Agios Pandeleimon. The public buses of KTEL network operate daily except on weekends two connections between Chromonastiri and Rethymno.