Petrochori combines architectural heritage in the village with natural landscapes nearby. The Church of the Holy Spirit and the Faucet fountain offer distinct historical points of interest, while nearby Platys Potamos Gorge presents a challenging hike. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the trail around the narrowest point and a full crossing of the gorge.

A village between Mount Samitos and Psiloritis

Petrochori lies at an altitude of 360 metres at the foot of Mount Samitos in the south of the Amari Valley. The village is laid out amphitheatrically and offers views towards Psiloritis. Nearby, Platys Potamos is lush with greenery; Smilian Gorge is also not far from Petrochori. The mountainside setting describes the village itself, while the two gorges add to the surrounding landscape.

The church and fountain as historical landmarks

At the southwestern edge of Petrochori stands the two-aisled Church of the Holy Spirit. It was built in the 19th century on the ruins of an older church and preserves frescoes from the early 15th century. “Two-aisled” describes the layout of the building; its architecture and surviving paintings stand side by side. The frescoes were created considerably earlier than the 19th-century church building.

A second historical landmark is the old Faucet fountain. It is located just before the northern exit of the village, behind the Church of the Holy Apostles and to the right below the main road. Its stone spouts and distinctive rectangular troughs define its appearance. The fountain acquired its present form in 1926, during its third renovation. Unlike the church, 1926 is not the year the fountain was built, but the year of its third renovation.

Gorges and trails nearby

The hike through Platys Potamos Gorge goes around its narrowest point. There, the route follows a steep, uncleared, brushy goat trail. It is not possible to cross the gorge on foot without canyoning techniques and suitable equipment. As route conditions can change, check the latest local conditions before setting out.

A significant colony of Egyptian vultures nests on the sheer rock faces at the narrowest point. Wildlife presence can vary, so sightings should not be relied upon.

The first section of the route up Mount Samitos can also be covered in a suitable off-road vehicle on the gravel road from the northern edge of Petrochori towards Amari. Check current conditions before driving, as the road surface and passability can change. The two planning considerations differ: for the gorge, trail conditions and canyoning equipment are key; for the Samitos section, the vehicle’s suitability and the passability of the gravel road matter.

Discover more destinations: Atsipades, Vlichada, Charkia, Kalonyktis, Myxorrouma, Rethymnon, Keramota, Somatas

For the broader travel overview: Rethymno.