Situated 55 kilometers far from Rethymnon, at the Southeast, Anogia is a big village with approximately 2500 permanent residents, built at a height of 700 meters on the mountain Idi or Psiloritis. It is considered as one of the most scenic and active villages of the Prefecture and of the whole of Crete, keeping many of its traditional features, rich in culture and with a great past -and present- in genius singers and musicians based on the traditional music such as Nikos Xylouris, his brother Psarantonis and Loudovikos of Anogia.

The village has also a great tradition of resistance against the dominants of the area, as it occurs with many other villages on the island. Anogia had participated to all the revolts against the Ottomans and, following their independent spirit, also resisted strongly to the German occupation during the World War II, which resulted to a total destruction of the village and an order of the Germans to seize and execute every male of Anogia who could carry a gun.

There are many things to see when in the village and the area.

Those who like Nature will find a paradise here; the Nida plateau is found some 25 kilometers far from Anogia at the South. The place is worth visiting in every season both for the famous Idaion Antron (meaning "the Cave of Idi"), a cave with very important archaeological finds and its wild nature, and for the ski resort available in winter and early spring.

Once in the area it is also worth visiting the Observatory situated at a height of 1750 meters, at the East of the plateau.

Don't miss to visit the holm - oak tree wood , found near the church of Aghios Yakinthos, the protector of the lovers; the church is situated at a distance of 18 kilometers far from Anogia at the South (at the mid-way to the Nida plateau) and it is a beautiful dry stone building.

Very close to Aghios Yakinthos, 16 kilometers far from Anogia at the South, it is found the archaeological site of Zominthos, close to the homonymous settlement. Excavations there have brought to light the ruins of a Late Minoan settlement.

One of the most interesting buildings of the area are the "Mitata", dry stone vaulted constructions used by the stock farmers as provisional dwellings and as places of storage of the local cheese, left there to mature.

Inspired by the local environment and the traditional architectural features, is the monument of the "The winged Partisan of Peace", a dry stone construction very interesting and original.

Within the village you may also see the statue of Manolis Skoulas, the Cretan hero of the revolution of 1866.

The village has a museum dedicated to the local painter and sculptor Grylios, as well as a representation of the typical house of Anogia and the everyday life in the early 20 th century; there is also a manufacture of hand made glass, using the traditional technique of blowing and the open theatre "Nikos Xylouris" where several cultural events take place in summer.

A local feast ("panighyri") takes place on the Ascension Day.

A wide range of cultural activities take place in summer: during "Yakintheia" in early July and "Anogia" in August, concerts of traditional and modern music, dance performances and theatrical plays are presented in the open theatre "Nikos Xylouris". The events gain in fame year after year and many visitors both Greeks and from abroad arrive to the village to attend them.

Accommodation in rooms to let is available in Anogia; however, in summer and especially during the period of the cultural event it is better to check availability in advance. Food and drink is plenty and good, with delicious local meat and cheese and, of course, abundant "tsikoudia".