Rethymno

Rethymno, the capital of the prefecture with the same name.
History, sightseeing of the Venetioan fortress Fortetsa, the old town and Hotels in Rethymno.

Rethymno is located on the western side of a yellow-colored sandy beach, which is over 7 miles (ca. 11 km) long and the biggest in Crete.

History of Rethymno

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The city is constructed over the remains of historical Rethimna as was verified from the excavations which had been done in 1974 locally of Mastabas the place that the cemetery of the early city was discovered, together with discoveries from the Minoan time and coins which revealed that it had been an independent community.

Inscriptions had been in addition discovered from the 4th, 3rd and 2nd century B.C. which validate that the city existed throughout the Hellenistic time.
Throughout the Roman period, it started into downfall and overcome like a simple village within the initially Byzantine time. Rokkaia should be located upon the slope today named Fortetsa, however in the past identified as Palaiokastro.

Within the subsequent Byzantine phase, there seems to be a village close to the present-day harbor. Through the Venetian times, the circumstances caused by Venetian trade with Syria, Egypt as well as Africa resulted in the tiny village to start to flourish following the beach by the end of the Thirteenth century. The actual city is the outcome of this action and also at the same time it started to be an urban center as the trading activity in the region shipped through it.

Muslim prayer towers Rethymno — Muslim prayer towers and mosques dominate the city’s image still until today.

In 1450 the Venetians chose to fortify Rethymno using a wall and constructed a fortification (Fortetsa) around the slope following the harbor, following the raid of the Turkish buccaneer Barbarossa who plundered most of northern Crete. The fortification works under the supervision of M Sammicheli required Thirty years, however were unable to avoid the Turks from capturing Rethymno in 1636, following a siege of just Twenty-two days.
In 1897 the troops of the European Great Powers forced the Turks to leave Crete and in 1909 they also left in order that Crete could be joined Greece in 1913.

Sightseeing of Rethymno

The picturesque narrow streets of the old town of Rethymno.

The height of Fortetsa with all the remains from the old Venetian fortress overlooks Rethymno. Towards the south of Fortetsa is the new city of Rethymno together with broad roads, and modern architecture which expands to the first heights. The old town of Rethymno spreads out to the north, an outstanding location with small roads, decorated with all the remains of the Venetian and Turkish periods. Within the excursion of the old town you will note Byzantine and Venetian churches, splendid doorways with arched, vaulted or perhaps horizontal lintels, vaulted passageways, water fountains in a variety of designs, also idyllic hotels and a lot more fascinating.

The Loggia on Arkadiou and K Palaiologou Streets is the most essential monument in Rethymno. It had been constructed in the 16th century and it was the place that the Venetian nobles assembled for relaxing. All the 4 ends of the structure has 3 semi-circular arches, and also the outer walls are samples of citadel type architecture. These days it houses the Archeological Museum of Rethymno.

The Rimondi water fountain in Patychakis Square was constructed in 1626. It has 3 basins into which water runs coming from carved skins, fluted columns with Corinthian capitals sitting on an elevated stage and holding up an entablature having an epistyle. The Guora gate or Megali Porta (“Great Gate”) is at the start of Antistaseos Street.

Our Lady of the Angels had been constructed within the closing times of the Venetian period and dedicated to Ayia Magdalini. Saint Francis on Antistaseos Street is among the most significant monuments in Rethymno, in the past a Franciscan monastery. The Neratzes mosque is around the classic Venetian square. At first, it had been the church of Santa Maria and an Augustinian monastery having a side-chapel committed to the Body of Christ. In 1657, it had been transformed by Hussein Pasha into a mosque following the conquest of Rethymno.

Inside the 'Fortetsa' fortress — Inside the ‘Fortetsa’ fortress with remaining buildings and ruins.

The Fortetsa fortress had been created between 1573 and 1588. It offers 4 walls, having a major gate and 2 auxiliary gates. From the complexes within the fortress, like the governor’s place, the government constructions, the episcopal megaron, a pair of churches, powder magazines and personal homes you’ll find nothing remaining, just several walls, reservoirs along with a domed mosque.

The Archeological Museum of Rethymno is located inside the Loggia and features discoveries coming from overall the prefecture, arranged chronologically beginning with the Neolithic to the Byzantine time. The Neolithic discoveries originate from the Gerani Cave and Elenes Amariou, ceramic from Prepalatial days, Minoan discoveries from different times found at the villages of Orne, Foufouras, Saktouris, Pangalochori, peak sanctuaries, Vrysinas, Atsipades, the Idaian Cave as well as Axos. Found at the region of Katsambas and also the cemetery at Armeni occur Postpalatial ceramic, 10 sarcophagi, ceramics from Classical periods, in addition to sculptures along with other discoveries from the Hellenistic and Roman times.

Unfortunately, Rethymno is annually the city with the highest poison crime figures on Crete.