Chromonastiri

Chromonastiri is a local community of the Rethymno Municipality in the Rethymno (regional unit) of the region of Crete established by Kallikratis reform. Previously, it was part of the former municipality of Rethymno. Chromonastiri is a traditional settlement and is classified in Class II, that is of average cultural value (Government Gazette 728/21-9-1995).[2] Buildings with Venetian architectural elements are scattered throughout the village. In the years 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Chromonastiri received an award of the '"cleaner and organized traditional community"' [3]

sign to Chromonastiri, the War Museum and Roussospiti
The settlements of the former municipality of Rethymno
Chromonastiri
Χρωμοναστήρι
Chromonastiri is located in Greece
Chromonastiri
Chromonastiri
Coordinates: 35°20′N 24°31′E
CountryGreece
Administrative regionCrete
Regional unitRethymno
MunicipalityRethymno
Municipal unitRethymno
Community
[1]
 • Population391 (2011)
 • Area (km2)9.604
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
74100
Area code(s)28310
Vehicle registrationΡΕ

Origin of name, History

Chromonastiri is located 11 km southeast of Rethymno, east of the Mount Vrisinas at an altitude of 360 meters [4] The name means “Color and Monastery”, and probably this name comes by the coexistence of the village and the monastery of Panayía Kerá (back to the Second Byzantine and Venetian period). Built around the 12th-13th centuries and has been characterized as a traditional village, as several buildings were built during the Venetian period. The local community of Chromonastiri consists of four settlements: Chromonastiri, Prinedes (Πρινέδες), Kapediana (Καπεδιανά) and Myli, Rethymno (Μύλοι).

Population of Chromonastiri [5]
Settlement19401951196119711981199120012011
Chromonastiri 439 347 293 173 294 237 358 298
Kapediana 102 64 48 35 27 19 28 25
Myloi 99 75 52 36 39 31 39 27
Prinedes - - - - - 29 57 41
Total 640 486 393 244 360 316 482 391

Temples, monuments, and major buildings
The Church of Panayía Kerá
Icons within the Church of Panayía Kerá

The Church of Panayía Kerá is a painted Byzantine church of cruciform shape with a dome, dating from the 11th century, with frescoes of 14th century.[3]

The Church of Ayios Eftychios
The Church of Ayios Eftychios, interior

Another important Byzantine church of the 11th century - that of Ayios Eftychios - is situated outside Chromonastiri at the area called Perdíki Metóhi, again with amazing frescoes of the 11th century (amazing are the huge eyes of the saints and especially of Christ)[6]

The Parish Church of this settlement is St. George Church.

Villa Clodio: Buildings with Venetian architectural elements are scattered in the village, but the most important building is the so-called Villa Clodio, which used to be the summer residence of Venetian nobles from Rethymno [7] and in the Ottoman period it was a house of an Ottoman dignitary (konak).[8] It is a magnificent mansion which has been restored and houses the Military Museum. The Military Museum houses many exhibits - military uniforms, weapons of various ages, decorations, etc.[9]

The oil mill of Prinari: The old factory (oil mill) of Prinari, fully renovated, with all its old equipment, located in the settlement, welcomes visitors to its cultural learning centre for an experience to learn all things relating to the olive and its milling process.[10][11]

Daily life, Festivities

The village celebrates Saint Panteleimon's name day (27 July)

Miscellaneous

There is public bus service (KTEL) from Rethymno (two services, morning and noon on weekdays and not weekends) [12]

Since 7 July 2005 the area of Chromonastiri is included in the Cadastre system and is under the authority of the Cadastral Office of Rethymno (20 Hortatzis Str., ZIP: 74100, Rethymno, Phone n.: 0030-28310-22403)[13]

See also

List of settlements in the Rethymno regional unit

References
  1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. Antonogiannakis Michael, The Vrisinas, The Mount Rethemnous, topographic, geographic, historical, social and folkloric perspective, Athens 2010 (in greek), p 382
  3. "The rewarded settlements in Rethymno, Chromonastiri". Tourism Promotion Committee of Rethymno Prefecture. Archived from the original on 2013-10-31. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  4. Papyrus Larousse Britannica, Athens, 1996
  5. Hellenic Statistical Authority, Digital Library (ELSAT), Census (Greek and English) Archived May 18, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Churches and monasteries, Aghios Eftychios". Tourism Promotion Committee of Rethymno Prefecture. Archived from the original on 2014-10-16. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  7. "Private Buildings, The villa Clodio in the village of Chromonastiri". Tourism Promotion Committee of Rethymno Prefecture. Archived from the original on 2014-10-16. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  8. Digital Crete-ITE-Villa Clodio Archived 2014-10-16 at the Wayback Machine accessed at 11 April 2012
  9. "Military Museum, Chromonastiri". Tourism Promotion Committee of Rethymno Prefecture. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  10. "Private collections in Rethymno, The mill of Prinari, Chromonastiri". Tourism Promotion Committee of Rethymno Prefecture. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  11. "The mill of Prinari (agrotourism)". Web site of Rethymno municipality. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  12. "Bus timetables, Chromonastiri (in german)". Archived from the original on 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  13. "Greek Cadastre Areas". Ktimatologio S.A. Archived from the original on 2012-03-29. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
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