Verekinthos is the mountain where, according to ancient
beliefs, were Idaioi Daktoloi, sons of Zeus, and protectors
of the Arts once lived and were worshiped. They came to
this mountain to teach traditional arts to men and women,
such as metallurgy, pottery, glassworks, and weaving. Today,
the ancient name of this mountain emerges once again and
the age-old arts have been revived. The Verekinthos Art
Village carries on the tradition at the same site, producing
the arts that which have always been interwoven with the
life and culture of the Cretan people. In the village you
will find various workshops of pottery, sculpture, glassworks,
silver and gold, leatherwork, gemstone elaboration, and
weaving creating new, as well as, traditional designs. The
Art Village stands between the Souda and Tsikalaria, at
the eastern gate of Chania. All articles are handmade and
manufactured in the village by local artists as they carry
on their great tradition of creation.
Verekinthos Art Village is a project of vital importance
for the city of Chania. It offers professional and amateur
artists opportunities to show their work and plays an important
role in the economic development of the city. Their effort
continues to make them a center of cultural and artistic
development, hoping to provide the region and its people
a better quality of life. The Cretans encourage people with
a vision and a love for the art of creation to support this
effort and help to expand the offer of the Art Village.
If you are a business interested in cooperating with one
of our listed artists, you may contact GreekShoppingGuide.com
via email for further assistance. If you are planning a
trip to Crete, print out our special "Good
for Any" coupon and take it with you for preferred
customer discounts anywhere in the village!
Pottery
Great artists of pottery have made their presence through
the centuries and this Art continues to capture in its magic
new friends and talented potters. There are sixteen pottery
workshops in the village exhibiting a large variety of articles
and new applications.
Silver and Gold
Since the era of the Minoan civilization, Crete has offered
historic creations to the art of jewelry fabrication, especially
in regards to the treatment of gold and silver. Today, in
the Art Village there are six workshops where Artsmen create
contemporary and traditional designs.
Leatherwear
In the village, you will find six workshops where you can
find great handbags, purdes, belts, wallets, etc. all fabricated
from genuine leather.
Hand Made Glass
Beautiful glass works for utilitarian or decorative use
are found in two workshops in the village.
Embroidery
This ancient Art is still very alive in Crete. In the Art
Village there is a special workshop dedicated to the art
of embroidery, where many works and applications materialize
everyday.
Weaving
The Art Village makes a continuous effort everyday to preserve
and rejuvenate weaving tradition and has created a workshop,
giving art lovers the opportunity to see and admire new
and traditional designs on the loom.
Gemstone Elaboration
In the Art Village there is a workshop that cute and elaborates
rocks in order to extract gemstones, which will later on
be used for jewelry.
Traditional Desserts
You can taste many delicious Greek treats made from authentic
ingredients. The whole procedure of baking is not only a
local custom, but also a distinct and pleasant ritual preformed
by original and creative people.
