map of Crete The village of Ancient Eleftherna is found in the north of the island of Crete, about 30 kilometers from the town of Rethimnon and not far from the Arkadi monastery. There is the normal village of Eleftherna and the village of Ancient Eleftherna, and they are a few kilometers apart. It is simply the name of the village and as such is indicated by a blue sign when you drive into it. If you stop and think here there is something for you to take a look at you will be disappointed, because it's just a sign with the village name. You have to drive a bit further to the junction in the village where there is another sign that indicates the sights and tells you which direction to go to.

It is convenient to first turn left towards the cisterns (places where water was stored) and the acropolis, for this is the closest. From Minoan to early Christian times the area wass inhabited. On the left you will find the remains of a Roman tower, which was also during the Byzantine period. When the path ends and you turn left you will see the underground cisterns: a large water storage chopped out of the rocks. It is very deep and large and you can climb down to have a look inside. Turn right at the path and after some time you will see a bridge from the Hellenistic period.

If you turn right you go towards the remains of an ancient Hellenistic city and a Byzantine church with a cemetery. Follow the sign that refers to the church. Ultimately you will than also end up at the ancient Hellenistic town (end of the road). This Sotiras Christos church dates from the 10th century AD and on the inside on the top of the dome of the church is a beautifully preserved fresco of Jesus. The church has a cross shape, and it stands on the site of a basilica from the 6th century BC. It is thought that the older church was the seat of the bishop of Eleftherna. When building the Byzantine church Sotiras Christos materials were used from the older basilica.