Fodele is a small village between Heraklion (27 km west) and Rethymnon (50 km east) in the northern part of the island of Crete. Nearby is a popular tourist resort of Agia Pelagia, with its famous sand and pebble beaches. Fodele population of only about 500 people.

The picturesque village is among the orange groves and forests. There Pentomentris mountain river, meets the needs of local people in the water. According to historians, Fodele is on the site of the ancient city of Astana - the port of Axos (references are found in Venetian sources).

One of the main attractions of Fodele is a house-museum of the famous painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco, 1541-1616), located near the center. For a long time the village is the birthplace of the artist, but recent studies have shown that El Greco was born still in Heraklion, and lived here for a while. The museum houses a small collection of memorabilia and reproductions of paintings (in the form of illuminated stained glass). The village is also a bust of El Greco (1964) and a memorial plate.

Near the museum there is a small Byzantine church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (supposedly the beginning of the XIV century), built on the site of three-nave basilica VII-XI centuries. Inside the church survived a number of frescoes. The church is an important architectural monument of the Byzantine period.

Another local attraction is the Monastery of St. Panteleimon, which was built during the Byzantine domination. During the Turkish occupation, the monastery was a center of revolutionary action. During this period, the church was severely damaged and looted.

Near the main square is a wonderful shady park - a great place for walks and picnics. In the cozy tavern, which like to visit on Sunday and residents of the capital, you can relax and enjoy the cuisine. At the local shops you can buy nice souvenirs.