The city of Rethymno located on north shore of Crete. It’s one of the best preserved medieval cities in the Greece with well preserved architectural ensemble of the 15 century.
Rethymno does not have good beaches inside but the city is a popular resort because nearby there are a lot of great beaches with a big number of hotels. Public transport on the Crete is well developed and you can easily reach the city from your hotel by using the bus.
Despite the fact that most people think about Rethymno as about medieval city, it’s has own roots in dark era of the birth of the human civilization. You can make sure of it by visiting the local Archeological museum or by reading the Roman historians Claudius Ptolemy and Pliny. Also there is very interesting witnesses of the Claudia Eliana who wrote that in Rethymno was wonderful temple dedicated to the Artemis.
Unfortunately we don’t have a lot of evidences about the Rethymno in the period of the Byzantine Empire and the Arabs.
In 961 the city was captured by the Nicephorus Phocas and after that Rethymno was a part of Byzantine Empire until the 1204 when Crusaders took control over the Crete. The era of Crusaders didn't lasted for a long period. They didn't leave any prominent signs of their presence on the island. Soon after, they sold the island to the Venetians and for Rethymno new era began – the era of Venetians.
It was the most prominent era in the history of Rethymno. Most prominent monuments like Rethymno fortress and harbor were built in this period. Another prominent vestige of the Venetians is an Arkadi abbey which is located at the distance of the 10 km from the city.
After the fall of the Constantinople in 1453 Venetians have started wide fortification program on the Crete. Among the other projects they also began the project of building new walls around the Rethymno. This project has been finished in the 1570.
May be it will be funny but just a year after, the Rethymno has been sacked after the dashing attack of the Turkish pirates. This induced the Venetians to build the fortress on the top of the Palaeokastro hill. The work under the fortress started in 1573 and was finished in 1590. But the territory of the new fortress was too small and could not include all houses in the city. Only administrative and military buildings were laid out inside the fortress. The rest of the buildings in Rethymno were left outside the fortress.
Fortress in Rethymno
Fortress of Rethymno doesn’t have military fame. In 1645 Turks have landed near the city of Chania and started conquest of the Crete. 29 September 1646 they have approached to the walls of Rethymno.
The head of the Venetian armed forces have decided that the defense will be meaningless and capitulated. There of, one of the most fortified fortresses of the 17th century has been given to the enemy without any resistance.
Today the walls and bastions of the citadel are in the good conditions. You can climb to it and take a walk over the wall’s perimeter. Also you can take in the military depots, Bishop's Palace and Mosque of Sultan Ibrahim.
Venetian port in Rethymno
Another significant Venetian landmark in the city – is an old port. Today port hosts a lot of fish restaurants where you can test a local sea food. The port of Rethymno is alo the heart of the old city. All paths start from this point and at the end they lead to the port.
Fountain Rimondi
This landmark located at the Platania Square on the road which connects the port with the city gate. The Fountain has been built in the 1626 and consists from the three reservoirs. If you drink water from this fountain together with your spouse you will never be parted.
Loggia
In the Middle Ages this building served as the gathering place for the aristocracy. Here they discussed political and economical questions and of course settled their own affairs. Today in the Loggia located a nice shop of the copies of famous Greek sculptures.
Beaches of the Rethymno
Like others cities of the Crete, Rethymno doesn’t have beaches. But from the north of the city starts famous White Mountains Beach which stretches more than 10 kilometers.
