Opsygias

The village Opsygias in the prefecture of Rethymno is located almost 40 km from the city of Rethymno near Monastiraki settlement.

The Opsygias is built at the foot of mountain Samitos, at an altitude of 480 meters.

The name of the village Opsygias or more correctly, Psygias, comes from the verb psygo meaning “wither”. Local residents mention that until the period of the Venetian rule, the village was full of vineyards and the grapes were dried in order to become raisins.

In the village of Opsygias there are many scattered churches, such as Agios Nikolaos, being the main church of the village, Agios Antonios, Agios Georgios with its Renaissance style doorway and built on a mountain Agios Dimitrios, the historical spring that Digenis fought the dragon for in order to protect its precious water.

In the area of Opsygias several caves and potholes were found, but the most outstanding natural attraction is the fountain below the village, with hot water in winter and cold water in summer.

At present, the village of Opsygias has approximately 8 permanent residents, but during the summer season with its popular festivals, the village comes back to live.