Booking.com

Koksare

The Koksare village is located approximately 25 km far from the city of Rethymno and 15 km from the southern coastline of the prefecture of Rethymno.

Nestled at the foot of the mountains of Kouroupas, the Koksare village is embraced by one of the most fertile areas of the inland. The olive grove of the village, indeed, is regarded as the biggest of the whole municipality.

The Koksare village seems to be named after its first settler, Koksaris, who was an offspring of a Byzantine family.

The first evidence of the foundation of Koksare dates back to the Middle-Minoan period, as was discovered by the British School of Archaeology in 1989. There, a Minoan peak sanctuary was found built upon the two terraces, defined by natural rocks along with tombs of the Late-Minoan period.

The Koksare village, because of its location at the entrance of the gorge of Kourtaliotis, played a strategically important role not only in the partisan struggles of the Cretans, but also in the Greek War of Independence. In 1866 a fort was built by the conquerors, part of which survives till today.

The cave Honos, located near Koksare, was used by the local residents for cheese ripening and storage. Following the course of Kourtaliotis River, the visitor will find himself at the Preveli Lake. The European E4 path crosses the nearby area.

The most important cultural monument of Koksare is the Byzantine church of Agios Georgios, which dates from the 15th century.

Most Popular