Situated in the picturesque prefecture of Rethymno, just 14 kilometers east of the city center, lies the charming village of Viran Episkopi This quaint village is easily accessible through the old national road that connects Rethymno to Heraklion, making it a convenient stop for travelers exploring the beautiful island of Crete
The name Viran Episkopi is derived from the Turkish word “Viran”, meaning ruin, and the Greek word “Episkopi”, which translates to diocese According to Italian researcher Gerola, after the liberation of Crete from the Saracens, the village was founded as the first diocese of A(g)riou Another version suggests that the name comes from the Latin word “VIRUS”, meaning desolate, referring to the village’s past state of ruins
The village is home to the remains of the Episcopal Church, believed to have been a three-nave church dedicated to Agia Irini, or the church of Agios Dimitrios, located about 1 kilometer west of the village on the way to Loutra Excavations conducted by Professor Kalokyris in the mid-1960s revealed the ruins of Agia Irini, providing a glimpse into the village’s history
Originally, the village was located where the settlement of Pano Viran Episkopi stands today During the Venetian rule, the entire village was surrounded by a wall with one central entrance gate, a small portion of which can still be seen today
As part of the Rethymno region, Viran Episkopi is located 82 kilometers from Chania Airport, with a driving time of 1 hour and 16 minutes, and 73 kilometers from Heraklion Airport, with a driving time of 1 hour and 4 minutes Its convenient location and rich history make it a must-visit destination for travelers exploring the beautiful island of Crete
