Heraklion Prinias

General information

Prinias is a small, picturesque village located 25 southwest of Heraklion Town, on the foothills of Mount Psiloritis. It’s a traditional settlement under protection by the Ministry of Culture, with stone houses, narrow streets, and beautiful churches. There lies the valley of Prinias, which is adorned with countless rocks of different shapes, each with its own name. The inhabitants of Prinias are mostly occupied with farming and agriculture.

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Around 2 km from the village, on the Patella hill, the ruins of Ancient Rizinia have been discovered. It is believed that the region was first inhabited during post-Minoan times. In fact, archaeologists found two temples dating to the 7th century BC on the hill. Moreover, the village was mentioned during the Venetian, Turkish, and Egyptian censuses, which means it survived through many different eras.

Besides Ancient Rizinia, Prinias also boasts several gorgeous churches. The biggest of them, dedicated to Saint George, was built in 1961 on the ruins of an older church. Other charming, smaller churches are worth visiting as well, including the churches of Saint Panteleimon, Saint Antonios, and Saint Irini. The village is also full of Minoan-carved wine presses, which you can explore. Under the Ancient Rizinia Region lies the most impressive sight in Prinias, the Prinias Gorge. Although it’s not very big, its rocks and waterfalls are really mesmerizing.

In the village, you will find a few traditional restaurants and taverns where you can enjoy delicious Cretan specialties like snails, seafood, and roasted meat. The place is also famous for its wine production, so don’t miss the chance to taste some savory local wine along with your meal.

Lastly, Prinias boasts a small selection of comfortable hotels, apartments, and villas.