Vryses - Crete

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Vryses

Vryses is a popular tourist destination that has maintained its Cretan character. The picturesque village, is built at the foot of the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) in a valley with lots of greenery and running water. It is located 32 km from the center of Chania, in the midway between Chania and Rethymnon and is at the start of the road leading to Chora Skafion. The permanent population is mainly occupied in citrus growing and olive oil production.

The village is crossed by three rivers: Boutakas, Vrysianos and Farmakera. The rivers Boutakas and Vrysianos merge in the center of the village, next to the bridge of 1942. The village is well known for the traditional coffee shops beneath the plane trees at the centre of the village as well as for its delicious goat cheese and its local sheep’s yogurt.

Athough Vryses is a new village dating back to 1925, archaeological findings have demonstrated that there is continuous human presence in the area since the Neolithic period (6000 to 3000 BC). In short distance there were the ancient cities of Amfimalon and the ancient settlement of Filippos. During Hellenistic times, an arched bridge, known as the Kamara, was built on the Boutaka River. The area where the arch is located is full of Minoan and Roman shells and plinths of Roman times, probably box-shaped tombs.

The two big traditional festivals of the village take place on July 7th and on the 15th of August. Visitors have the opportunity to see a traditional Cretan feast and taste local delicacies.