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Small Town in Crete


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Spili

is a small town counting only approx. 700 inhabitants and belonging to the prefecture of locator Rethymnon on the island of locator Crete. It is located some 30 kms South of the city, at 421 meters above sea level. The south shore is just behind the coastal mountains.

The surroundings are composed of particularly exciting landscapes. Mt. Vorisis (878 meters) towers above Spili, and the town itself is said to be most picturesque.
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photo Inside the town they have everything which makes a genuine Cretan small town complete: Shops, supermarkets, post and bank offices, grammar school and high school, churches, hairdresser, pharmacy, a Medical Center and even an episcopal palace.

During the summer half-year, the suburban bus from Rethymnon to locator Aghia Galini (24 kms) touches Spili 5 times per day, and during the winter half-year 4 times.
 
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In the town center, lifestyle is expressively relaxed. A Venetian style fountain with 25 water-spitting lionheads is the town's landmark, and there are even some old houses which originally remain from the Venetian era.

The name Spili comes from a cave in the neighbouring mountain (Greek "spileon" = cave) which is not developed for tourism but anyway allows exploration on one's own account.
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photo The closer surroundings suit excellently for hikes. One can find wild flowers and orchids, and frequently eagles and vultures can be seen.

As a basis for more extended excursions, Spili suits perfectly as well. In eastward direction via Gherakari, one can enter the Amari Valley with it's uncomparable landscape between the foothills of the Ida massif, with the Antonios cave near Patsos, and with Minoan excavation sites at Thronos and Apodoulou.
 
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Northwards, the town of Rethymnon offers vibrant tourism and a 17 kms long beach where all kinds of watersports are on offer.

Westwards via Frati, one can pass the Kourtaliotiko Gorge towards the south coast.

The palm beach of Preveli is located there, and so are the villages of locator Plakias, Rodakino and Frangokastello and between them several other beaches of different types.
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photo In southward direction there are the beaches of Kerames and Akoumia which have very fine sand but still not too many visitors, and the small town of Aghia Galini with it's picturesque fishing-port.

The excavation sites of Festos (Phaistos) and Gortys are not far away, and the caves by the beach of Matala are worth a side-trip as well.
 
Text by Ingo H. Dietrich
Photos by Holger Nordhoff, Rolf König & Ingo H. Dietrich
 

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Spili: The lions' fountain
Spili: The lions' fountain


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Latest News
Wed 19th June 2013: locator Games Afternoon of CIC Rethymnon on July 3rd
Sun 16th June 2013: locator Summer BBQ of CIC Rethymnon on June 29th
Sat 15th June 2013: locator Feast of the Congregation of Peter & Paul on June 29th
Fri 14th June 2013: locator The Friends of Animals have a new entrant: Sevach
Thu 13th June 2013: locator The Friends of Animals have a new entrant: Fedra
Wed 12th June 2013: locator The Friends of Animals have a new entrant: Apollon
Tue 11th June 2013: locator Only 4 days left: 20 % discount on rental cars in September
Mon 10th June 2013: locator The Friends of Animals have a new entrant: Nioma
Sun 9th June 2013: locator CIC Bus Excursion to Soughia and Omalos on June 23rd
Thu 6th June 2013: locator Oldies Dance Night at the Oriseum in Asomatos on June 20th
Sun 2nd June 2013: locator Joint Dinner of CIC Rethymnon on June 16th
Fri 31st May 2013: locator Coffee Morning of CIC Kalives on June 14th
Mon 27th May 2013: locator The Friends of Animals have a new entrant: Sandra
Fri 24th May 2013: locator Animal Protection Society looking for Flight Escorts
Thu 23rd May 2013: locator Oldies Dance Night at the Oriseum in Asomatos on June 6th
Wed 22nd May 2013: locator Games Afternoon of CIC Rethymnon on June 5th
Mon 20th May 2013: locator Coffee Morning of CIC Rethymnon on June 3rd

Copyright (c) 2005 - 2013 by Ingo H. Dietrich for dklp All rights reserved