Set between a 15th-century fortress and the blue Mediterranean, Rethymno charms with its maze of Venetian-Ottoman lanes, flowered balconies, and hidden minarets.
Set between a 15th-century fortress and the blue Mediterranean, Rethymno charms with its maze of Venetian-Ottoman lanes, flowered balconies, and hidden minarets.
Looming over Rethymno, the star-shaped Venetian fortress cuts an imposing figure with its massive walls and bastions but was nevertheless unable to stave off the Turks in 1646.
Over time, an entire village took shape on the grounds, most of which was destroyed in WWII. Views over the town, the Mediterranean and mountains are fabulous up here and it’s fun to poke around the ramparts, palm trees and remaining buildings, most notably the Sultan Bin Ibrahim Mosque with its huge dome.
Rethymno’s compact historic harbour is chock-a-block with tourist-geared fish tavernas and cafes. For a more atmospheric perspective, walk along the harbour walls, past the fishing boats to the prominent lighthouse, built in the 19th century by the Egyptians.
Arkadi Monastery is one of the most important and historic monasteries of Greece’s largest island, Crete. It is located 23 km away from the city of Rethymno, on a strategic point northwest of Mount Idi.
It was established during the 5th century and became world widely known due to its participation in the struggle against the Turkish occupation, with the sacrifice of its defendants on the 8th of November 1866 considered a highlight of the war.
UNESCO has recognized the monastery as a European Monument of Freedom because of this event.
The mountains of Rethymno host about 800 caves of special archaeological and folkloric interest.
Idaion Antron is the cave where, according to Greek mythology, Zeus was raised by Amaltheia. It used to be a place of worship, as shown by the golden jewelry, ceramics, and various metal objects discovered there.
The cave of Agios Antonios in Patso is wonderful and includes the homonymous church. The Sfentoni Cave in Zoniana impresses with its 14 corridors and countless stalactites and stalagmites.
Meanwhile, the cave of Melidoni was once a place of worship for the god Hermes and the site of a tragic sacrifice by the residents of Melidoni, whose bones are still visible inside the cave.
12 km north-east you will come across a place of natural beauty and archaeological significance, Ancient Eleutherna. The archaeological site is located on the serrated ridge of Psiloritis mountain, at a height of 380 m.
Archaeologists brought to light findings of great importance referring to a part of an ancient settlement spanning several eras, including the prehistoric, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods.
On the west side of the hill, visitors of the museum will have the opportunity to see a necropolis of the geometric and archaic era.
The exhibition within the museum is very significant and at the same time supported by the newest technological equipment. At the entrance of the museum, you will find touch screens installed, with information for the visitors.
The Armeni Late Minoan cemetery is located near Rethymno. The village of Armeni is 11 km from Rethymno, in the valley of Armenokampos at the foot of Vrissinas Mountain.
The area was first inhabited by Armenian soldiers who came with Nikiforos Fokas to liberate Crete in 961 AD. In the past, the villagers’ main occupation was the collection of acorns, which were used for tannery.
Near the Armeni village, there is an oak forest with a late Minoan cemetery (13th–12th century BC). It is located at the Prinokefala site, on the crossroad toward Somatas village.
The necropolis is the largest cemetery of carved graves in Crete. Several studies about the findings of the cemetery reveal facts about ancient people’s diets and burial customs.