Skouloufia

Skouloufia is a village of the prefecture of Rethymno, located near Pikris and Roupes, approximately 20 km southeast of the city of Rethymno.

Built at an altitude of 220 meters, Skouloufia is located on an important crossroad, since there are quite a few attractions located nearby, including Stavromenos Beach and the archaeological site of Stavromenos. In about just 8 km, the historic monastery of Arkadi is situated and many inhabitants of Skouloufia were involved in the holocaust. Few kilometers further, there is the Melidoni cave and the Ancient Eleftherna.

During the Venetian period, the village was referred to as Spilufia and was a birthplace of Eleni Volanopoula, mother of the Governor of Crete Veli Pasha, whose mosque is located in the city of Rethymno. Many brave men, Leonidas Mpogiatzoglou one of them, were hailing from the village of Skouloufia, an important revolutionary center of Crete.
Many Byzantine and Venetian sites can be seen in the quaint village of Skouloufia, mostly churches, such as the church of Agios Ioannis, erected in the middle of the village, hosting a sarcophagus dating to 1531 and the splendid view from a peculiar window of the church. The Church of Panagia, located near school, retains almost intact the wonderful reliefs on its doors and windows. There is also the church of Agia Paraskevi and an Ottoman fountain with an Arabic inscription.

Skouloufia is suggested for relaxation throughout the year and as a base for trips to many historical and natural attractions of the region. The visitors of the village will find here supermarkets, several traditional cafes and taverns near a lush riverbed. There is also a restored oil production factory, one of the major attractions of the town.