Somatas: History and Surroundings

Somatas lies at an altitude of 360 metres, ten kilometres from Rethymno and before Armeni. For orientation, it helps to consider the village as a place in its own right and Rethymno as the wider destination. The village’s historical connections, the necropolis near Armeni and the sights of Rethymno complement one another, but refer to distinct locations.

Historical Traces and the Necropolis of Armeni

Somatas is already recorded in 16th-century censuses. During Ottoman rule, many Turkish agas lived in the village. Its historical reference points therefore span an early mention and a later phase of settlement.

A cycling route passes through Somatas and ends at the post-Minoan cemetery of Armeni. The endpoint is in Armeni, not in the village itself. The necropolis is an extensive Late Minoan cemetery where more than 220 graves have been excavated. These were family tombs containing several deceased people; their grave goods provide information about the art, religion and social organisation of the time.

The story of the discovery also links Somatas with the cemetery: in 1969, the necropolis was discovered by chance after pupils from neighbouring Somatas found vessels on the surface. Small animals, including badgers, had removed the vessels from the graves. This sequence helps explain how the surface find led to the discovery of the cemetery.

Cycling Routes and Cultural Connections

Another cycling route passes through the village of Gallou, where the restored Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul is located. The two routes can be distinguished by their named destinations: one ends at an archaeological cemetery, while the other passes through a place with a restored monastery. Thus, the area around Somatas brings archaeological and religious history together as distinct themes.

Rethymno as the Wider Destination

The old town of Rethymno is designated a protected historic monument and traditional settlement. Its urban layout took shape during the Venetian period and was later transformed under Turkish rule. The historic city centre lies below the Venetian Fortezza. This urban historical context complements the historical themes around Somatas without equating them with the development of the old town.

The coast of the municipality of Rethymno is also a distinct point of interest. Rethymno Beach is twelve kilometres long, beginning at the historic city centre and stretching eastwards to Scaleta. Its sand is fine-grained and light brown; the municipality’s coastline also includes the Venetian harbour. These landscape and coastal features relate to Rethymno, not Somatas.

Museums and Events in Rethymno

Since 1991, the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno has been housed in a pentagonal building in front of the Fortezza’s main entrance. Its exhibitions present the history of the prefecture from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymno has a different focus: housed in a 17th-century Venetian mansion, it presents traditional crafts and folk art in five rooms. Archaeological periods and traditional crafts therefore offer distinct ways to explore the region’s history.

The Renaissance Festival of Rethymno takes place every summer, with music, theatre and dance performances as well as art exhibitions. The Rethymno Carnival is a traditional event; volunteers organise the carnival parade every year. If one of these events is important to your travel plans, check the specific dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Triopetra, Melissourgaki Geropotamos, Nithafri, Drosia, Spili, Karoti, Damnoni, Gallos

For the wider travel overview: Rethymno.