Roussospiti is considered the "balcony of Rethymno". It is located just 9 km from Rethymno City. Here, on the slope of mountain Vrissinas at an altitude of 300 m, the view to the Cretan Sea is amazing.
This settlement was built in the 12th century by the Venetians, as someone can easily guess from all the Venetian constructions of the village (arches, gates, fountains).
Some say that at that time, a red house was built in the village which lent its name to it (red = russo). But there is a second version as to the origin of the name, saying that a Russian (in Greek Roussa) woman settled there to recover after her doctor's recommendation. She liked the village so much that she built a house and spent the rest of her life there.
The main feature of the village is the Venetian fountain dated from the 17th century, with a faucet in the form of a lion head. In addition, impressive wallpaintings such as the Crusifixion can be found in the Temple of Virgin Mary.
At about 500 m south of the village the cave of Lygeri is located. In the cave, there are stalagmites and stalactites with a diameter of 250 m! This cave was used as a "crypt" where habitants took shelter when they were in danger.