Description of the attraction
The small village of Fodele is located between Heraklion (27 km west) and Rethymno (50 km east) in the northern part of Crete. Nearby is the popular tourist resort of Agia Pelagia with its famous sandy and pebble beaches. The population of Fodele is only about 500 people.
The picturesque village is located among orange groves and forests. The mountain river Pantomentris flows here, providing the local population's need for water. According to historians, Fodele is located on the site of the ancient city of Astali - the port of Axos (references are found in Venetian sources).
One of the main attractions of Fodele is the house-museum of the famous painter Domenicos Theotokopoulos (El Greco, 1541-1616), located not far from the center. For a long time, the village was considered the birthplace of the artist, but recent studies have shown that El Greco was born in Heraklion, and lived here for some time. The museum houses a small collection of memorabilia and reproductions of paintings (in the form of illuminated stained glass windows). The village also has a bust of El Greco (1964) and a memorial plaque.
Not far from the museum there is a small Byzantine Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (presumably the beginning of the XIV century), built on the site of a three-aisled basilica of the 7th-11th centuries. A number of frescoes have survived inside the church. The church is an important architectural monument of the Byzantine period.
Another local attraction is the monastery of St. Panteleimon, which was built during the period of Byzantine rule. During the Turkish occupation, the monastery was the center of revolutionary action. During this period, the temple was badly damaged and plundered.
There is a wonderful shady park next to the main square - a great place for a walk and a picnic. In cozy taverns, which residents of the capital also like to visit on Sundays, you can relax and enjoy the national cuisine. Local shops sell cute souvenirs.
