General Information of the Municipal Unit of Kryonerida

Fountains In D.D. Fountains where the rivers Boutakas and Vrysianos contribute, the visitor can enjoy the natural beauty and coolness that comes from the cold waters and the dense foliage of the big plane trees, walking on a path parallel to the Vrysianos river. The course of about 1,850 meters inside the river, ends at an old stone-arched bridge, an important monument of Greco-Roman times, the “Greek Arch”, for which there is a song corresponding to the bridge of Arta. The Fountains also belong to Metochia, which existed during the Turkish occupation. It is one of the largest villages in the wider area of ​​the province of Apokoronas and there is a Bank, Post Office, Bus Station, Schools of all levels, Doctor’s Office, Fire Station and Police Department. Shops, taverns, cafes, accommodation can accommodate the visitor, relax the passerby and meet his consumer needs. Mass From the “Greek Arch”, begins an uphill route of 1,500 meters to the south, and continues on the Municipal Road to the D.D. Mass. The visitor can enjoy the natural beauty of the area, following the relief course of the route, he will meet an old fountain and the church of the Savior Christ. The hike ends in the center of the settlement of Maza, in a square with a traditional cafe, rest area and the church of “Agios Nikolaos”, built in the early 14th century, decorated by the famous hagiographer I. Pagomenos with high art murals that are preserved to this day. Going up from Maza we reach the square of the settlement of Habatha, and from there at a distance of 100 meters, the visitor will meet the “Cave of Venus”. In the settlement of Hambatha, there is also the church of “Agios Georgios”, with remarkable frescoes. Alikambos Continuing the route to the south and following the Municipal Road, at a distance of 1.5 km, the visitor will meet the D.D. Alikambos. The highest point of the settlement is located north on the edge of the hill, at the place “Archavli”. An amazing panoramic view from where a rock emerges with a carved stone in the form of an armchair. The locals say that this place was used as an observatory, and that the Turk Ali Pasha of the area sat there to rest gazing at the magnificent landscape. Descending and following the Municipal Road, at a distance of about 200 meters, we meet the source “Vrisi Alikambou”, where there is a rest area and a small stone refreshment room. At a distance of 150 meters follows southwest the small downhill path, where the church “Assumption of the Virgin” is located, built around 1315, decorated with frescoes, works of art by I. Pagomenos. Following the path for another 700 meters, descending into the gorge, the visitor is in the “Cave of Botoni”. After a walk of another 300 meters, it meets the Eastern part of the Provincial Road of Massa, from where a path that leads to the “Gorge of Philip” appears. The total distance of the gorge is about 1,300 meters. On this route, the visitor will enjoy rich and wild vegetation, he will meet in the place “Pigi Printis” the water coming from the springs of the mountain, as well as a resting place. Emprosnero Another interesting route starts from the river Boutaka, but ascending to the south this time. After a course of 3 km we reach the place “Kremastos” where there is a traditional tavern built by the Municipality, an open-air theater and a spring with crystal clear water the stone “Venetian fountain”. There is also the church of “Agios Antonios” which emerges through the cave of the cliff, while just below the main church, and inside the cave, is the chapel of “Agios Ioannis”. Proceeding the uphill Municipal Road of D.D. In front, we find the “Tower of Alidakis”, a Venetian building that was reconstructed and used as a residence by the Janissary Ibrahim Alidakis. It is a massive stone building on a plot of about two acres, with arched doors, vaulted interiors, dormitories, baths, stone stairs and courtyards. In 1774 Sfakian rebels attacked the tower and killed Alidakis and his soldiers. One year after the revolution of 1821 here was the seat of the provisional Administration of Crete. From Emprosneros the visitor can follow the rural road to the settlement of Vatoudiaris, and then to the place “The Garden” at the top of which is the Church of “Agios Mama”. There the visitor will enjoy the wild natural landscape, the fresh air, the quiet, the unique fauna and the excellent panoramic view of the northeastern part of the Prefecture of Chania. Paints Crossing the river Butakas, moving south after a course of 1,500 meters we meet the stone-built arched bridge “Kamara tou Koutsou” and the “Watermill of Koutsos”.  
At a distance of 350 meters, is the “Watermill of Boudouris” and 850 meters further are the famous springs of the river Butaka, between steep and opposite rocks of the gorge. After 500 meters of uphill course inside the river, taking the western path and at a distance of 1,200 meters, the visitor will meet the historic D.D. Dyes, with traditional cafes and tavern. Southwest, following the path of the nature-loving route Kryonerida, it reaches the historic “Cave of Kryonerida”. There, during the revolution of 1821, about 130 women and children of the village were horribly killed by drowning from the smoke of the fire set by the Turks when they discovered their hideout. Vafes was a meeting point for revolutionaries during the Turkish occupation and in 1841 during the “Hareti Revolution” it was the seat of the revolutionary committee. The settlements of Arevitis and Ahatzikia Nippos also belong to Vafe. Opposite the Church of “Michael the Archangel” in Vafe begins a downhill route that passes between olive groves and forest landscapes and ends at D.D. Νίππος. From the village square where the Monument of the Unknown Soldier and the statue of the Macedonian warrior “Katsigari” are located, 1200 meters north to Agios Pantes, is the source “Rafioli” and opposite the church of “Ai Antonis”, built in a cave. Further on, 100 meters, we find the church of “Pervolitsiani Panagia” with the tomb of “Fredides” in its center and Byzantine frescoes. East of the village as we leave for Vrises we meet the Church of the “Holy Spirit” where there is a festival. Other churches are of “Ai Giorgis tou Methistis”, and the central church of “Timiou Stavros”. Nippos has joined the “Natura 2000” program due to the natural beauty of the environment. In the village, a beautiful stone-built Guesthouse has been built by the Municipality. Among the D.D. Vafe and Nippos, there is the place “Limnopigado” which is a plateau with a large cistern, the church of “Analipsi”, huge plane trees with large rest areas, an ideal place for tourists who seek coolness.