A circular route starting from Rethymno (Theotokopoulou str) to the village and nunnery of Agia Irini.

The nunnery, dates back to 1362, and was awarded the Europa Nostra European Preservation and Renovation for Architectural Monuments Award in 1995. Today it is occupied by a  community of ten nuns, who spent time weaving and sewing embroidery. You can visit also the ecclesiastical museum.

Going eastwards at the village Rousospiti a wonderful Venetian Fountain is preserved from the 17th century, as well as the Byzantine Church of Panagia with many interesting iconography. Right next to the church is situated the most characteristic of all the Venetian houses that are preserved in the village.

From the center of the village, the route leads to the traditional village of Kapediana with the magnificent view to the Cretan Sea. At the entrance of this green village with a small passing river that flows from the Mount of Vrissinas, there is an Ottoman fountain with a Turkish inscription. Outside of the village is the church of Sotiras Christos.

The route continues to Chromonastiri, where there the magnificent Villa Clodio and other Venetian Buildings are located. Today Vila Clodio hosts the Military Museum. There is also the “Prinari milos,” a Folk Museum with an important collection. Situated there as well are the Byzantine churches of Panagia Kera and Agios Eftichios with frescoes from the 11th and 14th century, which are considered to be the oldest in Crete.

The route then descends towards Mili, where the verdant gorge running parallel to the road and the abandoned old village of Mili can be admired from above.

From there you can return to Rethymno through the Mili gorge or a little further down, a turn to the left leads back to Rousospiti.

Distance: 13 km