Roussospiti is a local community of the Rethymno Municipality in the Rethymno (regional unit) of the region of Crete established by Kallikratis reform. Previously, it was part of the former municipality of Rethymno. Capital of the new municipality is Rethymnon. It is a traditional settlement and is classified in Class II, that is of average cultural value (Government Gazette 728/21-9-1995).
It is located 9 km southeast of Rethymno at an altitude of 300 meters,built in the 12th century by Venetians, as evidenced by the Venetian buildings in the village (arches, gates, fountain). At that time, a house (“spiti”, in Greek) was built in the village, and this was called “Russo”, i.e. red (russo+spiti=red house), and the village took its name after that. Others say that a Russian (Roussa) woman had built a house in the village, and that could be the origin of its name (the house of the Russian =roussospiti). 157 inhabitants were recorded in 1583. Later on, it was occupied by the Ottomans.The village lies on the slope of Vrisinas at an altitude of 300 meters. Apart from many Venetian houses, there is also a fountain of the 17th century and the church of Virgin Mary in this settlement. You can enjoy magnificent sea view (to the north)