Petrochori

Petrochori lies at an altitude of 360 meters at the foot of Mount Samitos in the south of the Amari Valley. The village, laid out like an amphitheater, offers views toward Psiloritis. The church and well provide tangible landmarks in the village; gorges and the route on Mount Samitos draw attention to the surrounding area.

Church and Well in the Village

At the southwestern edge of the village stands the two-aisled Church of the Holy Spirit. It was built in the 19th century on the ruins of an older church and preserves frescoes from the early 15th century. The building thus combines a more recent phase of construction with much older traces. “Two-aisled” describes the arrangement of two church naves; the term refers to the architecture, while the frescoes and ruins mark other layers of history. For those interested in cultural history, the building’s design and history can thus be seen side by side.

Another landmark in the village is the old Faucet (Petrochori) fountain. It has stone spouts and distinctive rectangular troughs. Just before the northern exit from the village, it stands behind the Church of the Holy Apostles, on the right and below the main road. During its third renovation, it was given its present form in 1926. The year places the fountain’s current design in its history: it marks the third renovation, not the date when the original structure was built.

Gorges and the Route on Mount Samitos

Platys Potamos is characterized by lush greenery; the Smilian Gorge is also near Petrochori. When hiking through the Platys Potamos Gorge, the path at the narrow section is crucial. The trail goes around its narrowest point and runs there along a steep, uncleared, bushy goat path. It is not possible to cross the gorge on foot without canyoning techniques and suitable equipment. Therefore, do not plan a complete crossing, and check current local conditions before setting out; route conditions can change.

A significant colony of griffon vultures nests on the vertical rock faces at the narrowest point. The presence of wildlife can vary.

The first section of the route to Mount Samitos can also be covered in a suitable off-road vehicle. A gravel road leads there from the northern edge of Petrochori in the direction of Amari. Check the road’s condition and whether it is passable before driving; the surface and driving conditions can change.

Different questions arise when planning your trip: For the gorge, consider the path’s terrain and course, as well as the point beyond which crossing is not possible; for Mount Samitos, consider the first section of road, whether it is passable, and which vehicle is suitable. The two outings therefore require different checks before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Agia Galini, Sises Geropotamos, Choumeri, Triopetra, Pikris, Gonia, Koxare, Arkadi

For the main travel overview: Rethymno.