Rethymnon - Spili - Aghia Galini
- Tymbaki - Voroi - Kalyviani
monastery - Moires.

We leave Rethymnon and drive south-
wards until, at the 10th kilometre, we
come to the village of Armenoi, where
excavations have brought to light a large
cemetery of the Late Minoan period.
The graves contained clay sarcophagi
decorated with paintings (Minoan religious
symbols, hunting scenes etc.).

A great number of seal-stones were also
found (Archaeological Museums of Rethymnon and Chania).
Just outside Armenoi, a fork to the left
leads to Kare, Goulediana and Sell, while
the main road continues south and 7.5
kms. later (19 kms. from Rethymnon) joins
a side road leading westwards towards
Aghios Vassilios, Aghios loannis and Sellia.
A kilometre and a half after the
intersection, another fork to the west
leads to Koxares, Asomato and the Preveli
monastery (see route 13).

We continue along the main road for
another 7.5 kms. towards the southeast
and come to Spili (28 kms. from Rethym-
non). This is a picturesque village built
at an altitude of 430 metres, in verdant
surroundings where sparkling springs,
stone fountains, cool shady nooks and
churches (Aghioi Theodorr, Aghios
Georgios, Metamorphosis tou Sotiros)
with beautiful murals, create an idyllic
picture. In the little square with the
century-old plane trees, crystal clear
water flows from a fountain, through
the mouths of a whole row of carved
lions' heads.

We continue southwards towards Kambos Kissou, Akoumia and Kria Vryssi.
(From Kambos a detour to the right leads to Aktounda, Vatos, Adraktos.
Just outside Kria Vryssi there is also a
detour to the right towards Melambes).
Our road ends up at Aghia Galini (54
kms. from Rethymnon, 78 kms. from
Herakleion). This is a lovely seaside village in the sheltered Messara bay, built on a height above the picturesque little harbour, with an unlimited view towards the Libyan sea. It attracts many tourists and offers accommodation to suit every taste and pocket (hotels, pensions, rooms and flats to rent, camping sites etc.).

There are also many restaurants, tavernas, bars, discos, folk art shops etc.

On the eastern side of the bay, with its
rocky shores, there are interesting marine caves which one can visit by boat.
The Aghia Galini beach is a very popular one. Just beyond it there is a nudist
beach.

To the west lie the wonderful beaches of
Aghios Georgios and Aghios Pavlos,
with their lovely sea. There are several
restaurants and tavernas. One can also
reach them by caique. From Aghia Galini we turn northeastwards and, 6 kms. further along, near the village of Mandres, the road turns southeastwards. It passes through Xerokambos and arrives at Tymbaki (13 kms. to the southeast of Aghia Galini).

Tymbaki is a large, prosperous village
where early fruit and vegetables are
grown, as well as citrus and olive trees.
The village is plentifully supplied with
water. The church of Saint Titus - the
patron saint of Tymbaki - is worth a visit. It is built near an older church which was also dedicated to the same saint.

In 1822, the first important battle of
Messara against the Turks took place
in this village. The Greeks were victorious and seized several villages in the vicinity.

In 1941, the village was destroyed by
the forces of occupation. At a distance of
1.5 kms. northwest of Tymbaki lies the
seaside settlement of Kokkinos Pyrgos
whose name, "red tower" comes from
the mediaeval tower built with red earth which was a landmark of the place.
The beach here is beautiful and the sea
limpid.
Four kilometres beyond Tymbaki, a road to the left leads to Voroi and Faneromeni.

The main road continues to the southeast.

We pass by the Kalyviani monastery
which is built in a lovely green setting
and is dedicated to the Holy Virgin.
The old church dates from the second
Byzantine period.

During the independence struggle
against the Turks, a new church was
built which has three naves and a dome.
It is dedicated to the Birthday of the
Holy Virgin, the Annunciation and the
Dormition of the Holy Virgin.

A small icon of the Annunciation - believed to perform miracles - was found in 1873 in the ruins of the old church and is kept in the new church.
Our route ends at Moires (25.5 kms. east of Aghia Galini and 77.5 from Rethymnon) (see route 6).