Agios Ioannis
The village of Agios Ioannis is located in the prefecture of Rethymno, after Angouseliana and approximately 30 km far from the city of Rethymno.
Agios Ioannis is built at an altitude of 460 meters shortly before the Kotsifou gorge.
The settlement of Agios Ioannis was named after a wooden icon of Agios Ioannis Theologos, burnt at one side, which was found in this area.
It seems that the settlement of Agios Ioannis was founded in 12th century after the unification of five settlements and, at present, includes the settlements of Kali Sikia and Kanevos as well.
The cypress forest of Agios Ioannis covers an area of 200 acres and enchants the visitors. There are lots of organic vineyards on the slopes of the nearby mountain and the villagers begun to export their production to the markets.
Every year during the first fortnight of September, the feast of raki revives in Agios Ioannis and particularly in the settlement of Kali Sikia. If you happen to attend, you will witness the entire distillation process.
