welcome           tel. +30 6985120285                                                                    e mail: meronas@yahoo.com

 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE PARTY MERONAS

 

"The village of beauty and natural grandeur"

 

Meronas covered by green foliage is situed in the center of Crete in the area of Rethymno between the North and South coasts.  Northwest of the province of Amari and opposity Mt. Psiloritis at an altitude of 650m

 

Traces of the Late Minoan, Hellenistic and Roman period have been found there (findings are in the Archaeological Museum of Chania) and near the village are some important archaeological sites (Monastiraki-Syvritos-Asomatos).

 

The name of the village was first mentioned in the contract notary Hantaka Benv. de Brixano in 1301 trading in wool. Other references are mentioned by Christopher Bouodelmonti in 1415 and by Gerola 1900.

 

According to church history, the first building in the village was the church of the Virgin Mary between the 12th and 13th century.  A unique church of its kind and there are also other notable temples of the Byzantine era.

 

Today it remains as one of the most vibrant villages still playing an important role in the development of the province.

 

Meronas retains its architectural form. A magnificent building is the bell tower of St. Panteleimon, built from wild amygdalopetra in early 1900, and also in very good condition is the  Lygato-mill and neoclassical houses.

 

Way of life has not changed that much. Traditions have still been kept all as well as the old customs and the women continue to cook traditional dishes on the log fire and bake their own bread.  Farming and ranch life is the main source of income for the residents.  In this same spirit, people continue in order to maintain the tradition and cultural heritage organise numerous cultural events.

 

• On-Net Halloween Monday. Open Lent with old toys and satirical performances (of the major events held in the prefecture of Rethymno with crowd participation).

 

Some of these annual events are :

 

·        Carnival is a festive season taking place directly before Lent. Rethymno has one of the largest carnivals in Greece. 

 

·        Easter. On Saturday eve of Easter Sunday the whole village celebrate in the local church. Throughout the week before Easter great logs of wood is collected to burn ‘Judas’.

 

·        May 1st.   All the villagers wander throughout the fields collecting flowers with song and dance.  

 

·        Celebration of the Holy Spirit takes place in a small church located high up in the hills and all the surrounding villagers come to celebrate.  After the service there is usually dancing and a buffet.

 

·        27th July is a local celebration St. Panteleimon with a celebration taking place in the center of the village.

 

·        During the month of August many theatrical performances take place as well as cinematic shows, traditional music evenings with dancing and other artistic performances and events.

 

·        Revival of the threshing in the area of Renda. The wheat which has been planted is reaped and threshed in the traditional way organized by the Cultural Association.  

 

·        Christmas - New Year. with traditional carols with Cretan musical instruments visiting every house in the village.  There is also the cutting of the new year cake organised by the by the community and cultural association. 

 

·          Over and above there are many events organized throughout the year regarding sustainable development, natural farming and collection of traditional seeds etc.