Overview

 
Chromonastiri Village is located in the area Perdiki Metochi, about 12km far from Rethymnon. In the village of Chromonastiri there are two fascinating Byzantine churches: the church of the Panagia Kera and church of Agios Eftihios.

Agios Eftichios

Agios Eftihios Church is reached by a road on the left (signposted) before you enter the village. The narrow dirt road winds 2km down the valley between olive groves. The church is below the road on the right so it is difficult to see. There is a footpath from the road to the church.
The Byzantine church of Agios Eftihios is a large church that has cruciform architecture with a large dome on the intersection of the nave and transept. The overall architecture of the church is cruciform. The back of the church has a window separated in two by a column. The interior of the church is very beautiful. It is decorated with bricks in the traditional Byzantine manner. Some traces of frescoes still remain in the church which reflect the so-called Macedonian style from Constantinople.

Panagia Kera

The Byzantine church of the Panagia Kera has cruciform architecture with a dome on a drum. In front of the church there is a large narthex at right angles to the nave and which is higher than the main part of the church. Between the narthex and the church itself there are two supporting columns in the wall. The church contains frescoes, the most interesting being a large painting of the Virgin Mary. The church's location allows for a marvellous view of the valley.