Prines, Rethymno

Prines (Greek: Πρινές) is a municipal section of the municipality Nikiforos Fokas (Νικηφόρος Φωκάς) within the Rethymno regional unit, Crete, Greece. It lies 5 km W-SW of the town of Rethymno.

It consists of the village of Prines, with 582 inhabitants and the Vederi settlement with 48 inhabitants (2001 census). Together, the two settlements have been classified as "preservable traditional settlements" thus retaining their traditional style and character. Before World War II, Prines was the capital of a commune consisting of the nearby villages Prines, Vederi, Geranion and Atsipopoulon.

Prines used to be an important place during the Venetian occupation of Crete (1204-1669 AD). According to local traditions, its name derives either from a Venetian lord who lived there or after a very common bush called "Prinos" or "Prinari" that flourishes in the area. The village church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, dates from the 13th century.

The majority of the local products are related to agriculture (mainly olives and olive-oil) and stock-breeding but there are also some small factories which employ a number of the inhabitants.

Coordinates: 35°20′42″N 24°25′30″E / 35.345°N 24.425°E / 35.345; 24.425

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