The coast to the south of the prefecture of Rethymnon is known as Gialia. In Greek mythology, the islands Dionysios (also known as Paximadia), which form part of the mythical Gialia region and belong to the municipality of Lambi, belonged to the god of wine, Dionysios. There are too, a great many Byzantine and Venetian vestiges scattered all over the region, properly cared for by the inhabitants who are very conscious of their historic value.

  The municipality of Lambi lies to the south of the prefecture of Rethymnon and borders with the following municipalities: Rethymnon to the northwest, Kouriton to the east and Foinika to the west. The Lybian Sea marks its southern border. The municipality comprises the following districts: Aghia Galini, Akoumia, Ardaktos, Drimiskos, Karines, Kentrochori, Kerames, Kissos, Krya Vryssi, Lambini, Melambes, Mournes, Myxorrouma, Orne, Saktouria, Spili. The landscape is consisted of mountains, olive plantations, rills, rich flora, sandy beaches and crystal clean seas. In the region there are also the rivers Plati or Ilektras, the Great river or Kourtaliotis and Akoumianos. All these create alternations of scene and make the area very attractive.

  SPILI

  Spili is the county town and has about 800 inhabitants. It is 30 km away from Rethymnon. In Venetian times the town consisted of several neighborhoods. There are two old mills close to the town of Spili which are in good condition and well worth a visit. At present, Spili is a modern town, with all the facilities and services required by the locals and by the large number of visitors.

  AGHIA GALINI

  It is a well organized tourist resort with comfortable hotels, apartments, camping sites, tourist agencies, car-renting offices, restaurants, tavernas and other recreation centres, as well as all the facilities required by tourists and locals alike. Aghia Galini is a new village, founded in 1884 by villagers from Melambes. The name, though not to be found in the censi, is very old, as is the name of the river Platis or Amarianos, and ancient maps mention the same river under the name of Elektra.
  In ancient times there used to be a settlement called Soulia or Soulina in exactly the same place, which was the port of ancient Syvritos. Artemis was the goddess adored here in that remote age, and the church of Galini Christos, visited by Buondelmonti in 1415, was built on the ruins of her temple. We therefore draw the conclusion that the present-day Aghia Galini owes its name to the monastery of Galini Christos. There are several caves along the coast, where the sea plays games with the rays of the sun, recalling similar grottoes in Capri.

  AKOUMIA

  It is 39 km away from Rethymnon. The village had a two-storey Turkish tower with large windows. The church of the Sotir is still in good condition showing wall paintings of the 14th century. The river takes its name from the village, and is known as Koumiamnos. In 1868 a fierce battle took place against the Turks and many rebels lost their lives.

  ARDAKTOS

  It is 40 km away from Rethymnon. The name probably has its origins in the flora of the area, Atraktylis or Maloti, a widespread plant with therapeutic values to be found in the region.

  DRIMISKOS

  It is 45 km from Rethymnon. A dirt road leads from the village to the beach, a short distance away. This beautiful and remote beach of Drimiskiano Ammoudi has a footpath leading to the beach in Preveli called Limni. There are a few facilities on the beach (rooms and modest tavernas).

  KARINES

  It it is 35 km away from Rethymnon. The church of Aghios Giorgos has a nice representation of the donors holding up the church. This charming wall painting is well worth seeing. The village is built on a hill, like the castles of towns called Karina by Homer, and this, according to Professor Pelantakis, is the origin of the name of the village.

  KENTROCHORI

  The village is known as Kentrochori or Kedrochori or Vouidomagergeio, it is 37.5 km away from Rethymnon. This old settlement is recorded in the Venetian censi of the 16th and 17th centuries as Vouidomagergeio. In 1881, it forms part of the municipality of Aghios Pnevmatos, under the name of Doumaergiome, with 195 inhabitants. In 1940 it was baptized Kentrochori.

  KERAMES

  The village probably owes its name to the word Potter in Greek. It is 34.5 km away from Rethymnon. A resident of the village, Konstantinos Spyridakis, founded an interesting folklore museum with a rich collection of coins, arms belonging to Cretan fighters and other works of art.

  KISSOS

  Located on the south flank of Mount Kedros, it is located at the 35th km of the road Rethymnon-Spili-Kampos Kissou-Aghia Galini. The village is mentioned by name in the Venetian censi. In 1881, it forms part of the municipality of Aghios Pnevmatos and has 210 inhabitants. As of 1940 it becomes the seat of the commune with the same name.

  KRYA VRYSSI

  Situated on the south side of Mount Kedros, this village has a lot of water, hence its name Krya Vryssi which means Cold Spring. The village is on the 45th km of the road Rethymnon-Timbaki. The new settlement of Nea Krya Vryssi is just 1 km away , on a slightly lower level, i.e. 440 m above sea-level.

  LAMBINI

  The name finds its origin in the ancient town of Lappa-Lambi. It is 27 km away from Rethymnon. The church of the Panaghia, with its splendid dome and central nave has parts dating back to the 14th century, as can be seen from the architecture of the building and the wall paintings. The present day church is a restoration of the older building dating back to the first years of the Venetian occupation of the island. In spite of the Turkish Occupation, the church has weathered well and some of the wall paintings are in not too bad condition. There are tombs under the floor of the church, where possibly the donors, or the bishops of Lambi as was the custom, lie buried.

  MELAMBES

  It lies in the valley between Mount Kedros (1777 m) and Mount Vouvala (947 m), at the 51st km on the road Rethymnon-Spili-Melambes-Timbaki. According to the teacher of Rethymnon, Emmanouil Lambrinakis, Melambes was built after Lambi was destroyed and the name Melambes means "Me, Lambi". Panos Koronaios had his rebel camp in 1866, with Michail Korakas and another thousand men. Below Melambes, at a place called Kouroi, there was a temple dedicated to Elektra, hence the name of the river Elektras.

  MOURNES

  It lies to the south-west of Spili at a distance of 34 km from Rethymnon. It is recorded as Mournea in all the Venetian censi. At Malathre, close to a spring, to the south-west of the village of Diplochori - now in ruins -the church of Aghios Giorgos has interesting wall paintings, albeit in poor condition.

  MYXORROUMA

  It lies on the road to Spili, at the 26th km, 26,5 km from Rethymnon. The origin of its name is to be found in the two Greek words "mixis: and "rouma", after its location at the junction of two torrents.The old village of Myxorrouma is well worth a visit, with its stone houses and lush vegetation.

  ORNE

  The village lies at a distance of 49 km from Rethymnon. It is recorded in all the Venetian censi. In 1881 it is recorded in the municipality of Melambes, until 1940 when it becomes the seat of a commune with the same name.

  SAKTOURIA

  It is 49 km away from Rethymnon. It is recorded as Sacturia in all the Venetian censi of the 16th and 17th centuries. Chourmoutzis Vizantios calls it Sachtouri. In 1881 it is recorded as forming part of the municipality of Melambes with 360 inhabitants and in 1900, still in the same municipality until 1940 when it becomes the seat of a commune with the same name. The village owes its name to the Greek word 'sachtouri' which refers to a sailing boat of 15 to 20 tons with square sails. Therefore the name should be Sachtouria and not Saktouria, as it is known today.

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