Argyroupoli
Argyroupoli in the prefecture of Rethymno is located approximately 25 kilometers southwest of the city of Rethymno at the foothills of Azonas.
Built at an altitude of about 260 meters, Argiroupoli stands where in antiquity Ancient Lappa once was, whose name in the Middle Ages became Stimpolis (in the city), while during the Turkish rule the village sounded as Gaidouropoli or Samaropoli. The current name was given to the village in the 19th century by the revolutionary committee and in 1878 the General Assembly voted for the union of Crete with Greece, eliminating the sovereignty of the Sultan. It was when the rebels destroyed the majestic palace of Government House, which was built by the Turks in the village.
The rich soil of Argyroupoli that even today produces oil and wine of excellent quality and also citrus fruits, cereals, carobs, acorns and livestock products attracted the interest of the Venetians who settled there.
The village is full of traces of ancient and modern culture. There are excavated parts of the ancient city, Roman remains, Venetian buildings with unique doorways and Byzantine churches all over the region.
Apart from the architecture, Argyroupoli, which in 2008 received the award for the most clean organized traditional community, is famous for its natural attractions as well, since the visitor will find here beautiful springs and old mills. The sources of the Agia Dinami (Holy Force), with reference to the divine origin of the power of the water, dominate the verdant valley with the waters of the river Mousselas flowing from every location. One hundred meters down from the church of Saints Five Virgins there are the springs of the Petre River in an idyllic landscape with huge centuries old plane trees.
Just like in all the villages, the religious element of Argyroupoli is intense. The chapel of the Five Virgins carved into a rock just outside the village, which celebrates on Holy Tuesday, is one of the most important pilgrimages of western Crete. According to local tradition, five girls from Argyroupoli or from some neighboring town found refuge in carved tombs of an ancient cemetery, where they had lived until their death. The area remained sacred even after they died, since the holy water started coming out from the graves. On Holy Tuesday during the large village feast, many believers come to take this holy water, considering it blessing and remedy. According to the custom, they put the holy water on the iconostasis and drink it on empty stomach on important days of the year, while the elders drop a few drops in the four corners of the house or in their gardens in order for their vegetables to flourish. There are more churches to be found in the village, such as the church of the Virgin Mary, the chapel of Agios Ioannis on the rock of the Holy Power springs, the church of Agia Kyriaki and the church of Agios Nikolaos just outside the village.
A lot of rooms-to-let are operated throughout the year in Argyroupoli, while the visitors will find many taverns as well, serving local dishes.
