Amnatos
Amnatos is a local community of the Rethymno Municipality in the Rethymno (regional unit) of the region of Crete established by Kallikratis reform. Previously, it was part of the municipal district of Municipality of Arkadi. Amnatos is a traditional settlement and is classified in Class II, that is of "average cultural value" ("Government Gazette" 728/21-9-1995). Buildings with Venetian architectural elements are scattered throughout the village. In 2005 Amnatos received an award of the "cleaner and organized traditional community". Geography. It is located on the northeastern edges of the Gargano mountain, 17 km southeast of Rethymno, on the  way to Arkadi, at an altitude of 320 m. It has a view of the North Sea and the Cretan mountain Psiloreitis. Origin of name and history. The location of the village appears to have been inhabited since ancient times and it is believed that the name "Amnatos" has Minoan origin. Ancient Greeks used to call "amnion" all those vessels used at their time to collect the blood of sacrificed animals. The area was occupied by the Venetians and the Ottomans. Nowadays, the local community of Amnatos consists of four settlements: Amnatos, Kapsaliana ("Καψαλιανά"), Pikris ("Πίκρης") and the Arkadi Monastery . Attractions: monuments, temples, and important buildings. Among the many Venetian buildings in the village of Amnatos, there is a house with a particularly impressive doorframe. The crown of the gable has the inscription: "INITIUM SAPIENTE TIMOR DOMINI" (in English: "The Beginning of Wisdom is Fear of the Lord"). There is also a folk museum and a Municipal Museum of the History of Greek Education. Amnatos is the home village of Harikleia Daskalaki, a heroine of the Arkadi holocaust. A statue of her is found in the square of the village. Transportation. There is bus service (KTEL) from and to Rethymnon  in this area (route for Arkadi Monastery, which has three services on weekdays and two on weekends).