⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗

Rethymno is the most representative sample of a Cretan Renaissance city.

Rethymnon is the third largest city of Crete with a population of about 30000, built on the site of ancient Rithymna (4-5th century BC). After the Byzantine era, Rethymnon was fortified and further strengthened by the Venetians.

The old town is one of the nicest attractions for visitors to Crete, who have the ability to roam in the past. The town with the quaint streets and the beautiful monuments reserves its Venetian and Ottoman hues, as it was not altered by the modern era. In contrast to Heraklion and Chania, Rethymnon preserved mainly a Greek Renaissance character, as most nobles during the Venetian Period were Greeks.

Near the old town with the narrow streets, the visitor shall visit the largest fortress in Crete, the majestic Fortezza. Other attractions include the small Venetian harbor with the lighthouse, Venetian Loggia, Rimondi Fountain, Rethymno Park, Santa Maria, Historical Museum, Nerantze Mosque, St. Francis Basilica, Great Gate (Porta Guora), Mosque of Kara Musa Pasha and Venetian mansions in Street Arkadi. Finally, visitors can enjoy their bath in the vast sandy beach starting east of the port of Rethymnon.

Valide Soultana Mosque (Turhan Hatice)

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The mosque of Turhan Hatice still dominates with its imposing minaret next to the Great Gate (Guora Porta) of Rethymnon old town, though it is enclosed by several modern buildings. Turhan Hadice belonged to the sultan Ibrahim's harem (1640-1648) and became a Valide sultan in 1648 when her son, Mehmet D, became sultan.

Church of the Great Panagia in Rethymnon

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The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Great Holy Virgin (Megali Panagia) in Rethymnon is dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin Mary (feast 21st November), Three Hierarchs and the Holy Apostles.

Church of Saint Catherine in Fortezza

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The small church of Saint Catherine (Agia Ekaterini) is a modern church located in the fort of Fortezza in Rethymnon. It was built in the 19th century with materials from the fortress very close to the site of the Ibrahim Khan Mosque. The belfry was added in 1985.

Church of Saint George of Grotta in Rethymnon

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The church of Saint George of Grotta is a small one-storey church that stands in a narrow street in the old town of Rethymnon and dates back to the 16th century. The identification of the present church with the homonymous temple of the Venetian archives is not certain, as there were three churches dedicated to Saint George in the city.

Church of Hagia Sophia in Rethymnon

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At the corner of streets Koroneou and Smyrnis in Rethymnon was the church of Hagia Sophia, probably a 16th-century building. It was a two-storey church with a united interior space covered by two sturdy domes, used today by the Ministry of Culture.

Church of Saint Barbara in Rethymnon

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The church of Saint Barbara is located near the tempe Megali Panagia in Rethymnon and celebrates on December 4th. The church was founded in 1885 on the site of an older temple, probably dedicated to the same saint, which appears on maps of 1613.

Church of Saint Spyridon in Rethymnon

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On the west side of the imposing fort of Fortetsa in Rethymnon and above the sea we meet the cavernous church of Agios Spyridon (celebrates on 11 August and 12 December). The church dates back to the late 16th century and is one of the oldest surviving temples in the city of Rethymnon.

Rethymnon

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