Episkopi: Hillside Setting, Views and Cultural Heritage

Episkopi is a continuous, elongated settlement. The village extends along the ridge of a hill and the old national road. From there, it offers remarkable views of the plain, the olive grove and the sea. If you choose a hotel destination based on its scenery and character, the village’s elongated shape and its views provide a clear point of reference.

Landscape and Village Character

The shape of the village and its views are distinct aspects of the landscape: the elongated development follows the hill ridge and the old national road, while the views extend across the plain, the olive grove and the sea. This makes it possible to understand Episkopi both through its settlement pattern and through the surrounding landscape.

Church and Venetian Fountain

The Church of Prophet Elias, a three-aisled basilica, stands in Episkopi’s central square. “Three-aisled” describes the division of the church interior into three aisles. The church holds icons, books, liturgical objects and textiles from the 19th century. The church thus brings together a clearly identifiable architectural form and liturgical furnishings. A Venetian fountain is located at the edge of the old part of the village. The two structures provide distinct historical and spatial points of focus: the basilica in the central square, and the fountain at the edge of the old village.

Historical Perspectives in the Wider Destination of Rethymno

In the wider destination of Rethymno, the old town offers an urban perspective on history. The old town of Rethymno is designated a protected historic monument and a traditional settlement. Its urban layout took shape during the Venetian period and was later altered during Ottoman rule. The historic town centre lies below the Venetian Fortezza fortress. Thus, Rethymno focuses on the development of an urban layout, while in Episkopi, the church and fountain are among the local historical points of reference.

The museums in Rethymno also have different areas of focus. Since 1991, the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno has been housed in a pentagonal building in front of the main entrance to the Fortezza. Its exhibitions present the history of the prefecture from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymno is housed in a 17th-century Venetian mansion. Its permanent exhibition presents traditional crafts and folk art in five rooms. Archaeological history and traditional craftsmanship are therefore presented as distinct themes.

Another distinct point of reference in the wider destination of Rethymno is Rethymno Beach. It is 12 kilometres long, begins at the historic town centre and extends eastwards to Scaleta. Its sand is fine-grained and light brown. This description of the coast applies to Rethymno Beach; it differs from Episkopi’s village character and its location on a hill ridge.

Which of these themes matters most to you can help guide your choice of destination.

Discover more destinations: Melidoni, Koxare, Karoti, Adele, Prines, Chromonastiri, Venio, Platanos

Go to the wider travel overview: Rethymno.