Residents of Pano Riza, a village in the Municipality of Phaistos on the southern slopes of Mount Psiloritis, marked May Day by gathering at natural mountain pools for a traditional celebration. The event featured antikrystos, a classic Cretan face-to-face dance, along with local wine and a ritual of swimming in the cold spring waters fed by Psiloritis, Crete's highest peak at 2,456 meters. The May Day tradition of heading into nature, picking wildflowers, and celebrating outdoors is deeply rooted across Greece. For visitors in the area, Pano Riza sits within easy reach of Rethymno and the Amari Valley, offering scenic mountain landscapes and authentic village life. Similar local gatherings take place across Crete on May 1st each year, making it a good opportunity to witness traditional Cretan culture firsthand.
