Loutra
Loutra is a medieval village in the prefecture of Rethymno, located 8 km far from the city of Rethymno and 2 km from the seaside.
References to Loutra are found in the 16th century’s Venetian sources. The village has been inhabited by many Ottomans, who were replaced in 1922 by Minor Asia expatriates.
The main characteristic of the village are the beautiful alleys, with their stone houses and blooming balconies. Do not forget to visit the fountain with the Turkish inscription and the house of Elijah Spantidakis, the leader of the labor union of the Miners in Colorado, USA, who remained in the history of Loutra by name Louis Tikas.
Just outside Loutra, there is a small path that leads to a picturesque chapel of Agios Panteleimon with the monument in honor of 10 victims executed by the Germans and the three-nave church of Agios Dimitrios, which was probably built over an older temple of Artemis Diktynna. The village has five churches in total. The most outstanding festival is the one of Agia Fotini the Samaritan, which is celebrated at Lent.
Moreover, in Loutra you can visit an old olive-mill, the former house of the hero Papa-Manolis Kallergis. In close proximity to the village, there are some magnificent and clean beaches and bigger settlements with restaurants and more.
