Fodele
Fodele is a small picturesque inland village, 3 kilometres far from the beach (the homonymous bay) and 27 kilometres western to Heraklion. The village is located in a magnificent environment with orange-trees, high perennial plane trees, a lot of current water and reed thickets. The village has some 550 permanent residents.
In the area of the Fodele bay it is suggested to have existed the ancient town of Astali, the port of Axos. Fodele is known as the birthplace of the famous Cretan painter Domenico Theotocopoulos ("El Greco"), who lived and worked in Toledo, in Spain.
Once in the village it is worth visiting the Byzantine church of Panaghia (Virgin Mary), dating back to the 11th century, a cruciform church with a cupola.
Of course, don't miss to visit the house where "El Greco" was born, close to the church of Panaghia. The house is now a Museum, obviously dedicated to the life and work of "El Greco"; you will see copies of several works of the painter and you may take a tour to the painting workshop of the Museum.
A series of cultural activities are irganised in the village in summer, by the end of July.
Thanks to the extraordinary environment, the marvellous beach and "El Greco", the village receives a lot of visitors. As a result you will find a wide reange of accommodation alternatives, and several taverns restaurants and cafes. You will also find many gift shops with souvenirs. And, if you wish to take a swim, the nearby beach is well enough organised to satisfy your desirs.
Access from Heraklion is posssible by public bus with regular service, as well as rented and private car and motorbike. To get to the village you may follow either the National Road or the secondary road; the former is somehow shorter, but if you take the secondary road you will have a marvellous drive within a scenic environment.
In the area of the Fodele bay it is suggested to have existed the ancient town of Astali, the port of Axos. Fodele is known as the birthplace of the famous Cretan painter Domenico Theotocopoulos ("El Greco"), who lived and worked in Toledo, in Spain.
Once in the village it is worth visiting the Byzantine church of Panaghia (Virgin Mary), dating back to the 11th century, a cruciform church with a cupola.
Of course, don't miss to visit the house where "El Greco" was born, close to the church of Panaghia. The house is now a Museum, obviously dedicated to the life and work of "El Greco"; you will see copies of several works of the painter and you may take a tour to the painting workshop of the Museum.
A series of cultural activities are irganised in the village in summer, by the end of July.
Thanks to the extraordinary environment, the marvellous beach and "El Greco", the village receives a lot of visitors. As a result you will find a wide reange of accommodation alternatives, and several taverns restaurants and cafes. You will also find many gift shops with souvenirs. And, if you wish to take a swim, the nearby beach is well enough organised to satisfy your desirs.
Access from Heraklion is posssible by public bus with regular service, as well as rented and private car and motorbike. To get to the village you may follow either the National Road or the secondary road; the former is somehow shorter, but if you take the secondary road you will have a marvellous drive within a scenic environment.
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