FODELE AREA

At the 25th km on the Heraklion - Rethymno highway is the junction for Fodele. On the right, there are two wonderful beaches. Nearby, there is a river which is called Pandomandris. The river flows by the road and it reaches the village, after a wonderful ride among orange trees. Fodele is a mountainous area at an altitude of 60m above sea level. Both the original area on the western side of the small valley and the newer part at the banks of the small river provide a fascinating insight into Cretan life. This area, combines many elements of Greek nature including the rich vegetation and the orange groves, creating a unique landscape for central Crete.

The village comprises an oasis of freshness, especially for the hot days of summer. The village's square offers quiet relaxation and allow visitors to enjoy their coffee or lunch next to the river underneath the perennial plane trees. Down the square, at the Archontico settlement there is the Dominico Theotocopoulos Museum of Replicas, which is housed at the alleged birth-place of the great painter. At the same settlement there is the small Byzantine church of Panagia (The presentation of the Virgin Mary), which is said to be the motivation of Greco for get involved with hagiography. This church is built on the ruins of an older three-sectioned Byzantine church with wonderful frescos and sculptures.

In addition to the tourist beach and the huge hotel complex, Fodele village has also developed exquisite activities in the handicraft sector and pop art trade together with small family run taverns and restaurants. Visitors can also buy such as bread and fruit local products. An area of outstanding natural beauty surrounds Dominico Theotocopoulos' house and the Byzantine church in Loumbinies. Close by is the Galini area where there is a creek bearing waters until July, verdant with plane trees, which empties into a natural port of unique beauty - an area with rare aesthetics value and many antiquities that could be declared as a national park.