Rethymno is a city on the north coast of the Greek island of Crete.
Rethymno is a city on the north coast of the Greek island of Crete. In the old town, the Venetian Port is full of fishing boats and full of taverns. Rethymnon Lighthouse was built in 1830. To the west, the top of Fortezza Hill is a 16th-century star-shaped citadel. The Historical and Folklore Museum preserves local handicrafts such as fabrics and ceramics. The large, sandy beach of Rethymnon stretches east.
1. Fortezza of Rethymno
The Fortezza is the citadel of the city of Rethymno in Crete, Greece. It was built by the Venetians in the 16th century and was captured by the Ottomans in 1646. By the early 20th century, many houses were built within the citadel. These were demolished after World War II, leaving only a few historic buildings within the Fortezza. Today, the citadel is in good condition and is open to the public.
2. Archaeological Museum of Rethymno
It is located at the center of Rethymno’s historic center in Saint Francis Church. It hosts findings from the Neolithic Age to the era of Roman rule. The collections include findings from caves, settlements, and cemeteries of the Minoan Era, as well as objects from the Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman eras brought to light by archaeologists during excavations in ancient cities. Some of the most important exhibits that you must see are the helmet which is covered in boar teeth and the reliquaries from the post-Minoan era cemetery of Armeni, the statue of Aphrodite from Argiroupoli, the seals and collections of gold jewelry and coins
3. Old Venetian Harbour of Rethymno
The Old Venetian Harbour and the Lighthouse are two of the most picturesque sights of Rethymno and a must-visit spot for everyone. The erections across the harbor were built by the Ottomans, but in the entrance, there is still standing the Venetian Customhouse, which today works as an info point. The Lighthouse dates also in the Ottoman period. Its founder was Mehmet Allie, governor of Crete from 1830 to 1840. Stripped away from its old use, today it stands at the entrance of the old port as a proud reminder of old times.
4. History and Folk Art Museum
The museum is housed in a Venetian building of the 17th Century, which has been characterized as a protected monument by the Ministry of Culture. You will see beautiful collections of traditional handicrafts and textiles, baskets, ceramics, historic heirlooms, documents, photographs, banners, maps, arms, coins, as well as interesting architectural elements like the stone staircase in the courtyard, the hall with the two rows of Venetian windows and the kitchen with the chimney.
5. Guora Gate
The Guora Gate is the only remaining of the Venetian Walls of Rethymno. It was built when the rector of the city was Jacomo Guoro (1566-1568). It was an inner break of a covered walkway that crossed the walls through Santa Veneranta rampart. The Venetian Symbol of a Winged Lion, which was on the Gate, is now placed in the courtyard of the Loggia.