The resort area of Rethymno on the Greek island of Crete is an ideal place for a beach and sightseeing holiday. In addition to pure golden sand and warm sea, Rethymno offers guests many attractions both in the city itself and in its surroundings. Looking for information on what to see in Rethymno? Pay attention to the natural beauty - lagoons and bays, gorges and lakes, worthy of a painter's brush or the attention of a photographer. Do not forget about the medieval sights that are rich in the narrow winding streets of the old city.
TOP 10 attractions of Rethymno
Fortress Fortezza
A powerful defensive fortification, the Fortezza fortress was built in the second half of the 16th century to defend the port of Rethymno from pirates, who at that time posed a great threat to coastal cities in the Mediterranean. For the construction of the citadel, a place was chosen on the Paliokastro hill, where in ancient times there was an acropolis with the sanctuaries of Apollo and Artemis. The not too large size of the fortress did not allow all the houses of local residents to be transferred to the territory of the fort, and only the Venetian garrison and the local government were located in the citadel.
In 1646, the troops of the Ottoman Empire captured Rethymno, and the fortress of Fortezza, like the entire city, fell under the rule of the Turks. It was also affected by architectural transformations, but in the second half of the twentieth century, the main attraction of Rethymno was restored to its original form. Today you can look from the Paliokastro hill to the city of Rethymno and appreciate the magnificent views from the best observation deck in this part of Crete.
In the summer, art festivals take place in the amphitheater within the walls of Fortezza. Performances based on plays by Shakespeare and Moliere are staged on the stage.
Ticket price: 4 euros.
Rimondi fountain
In 1626, the governor of Rethymno ordered the construction of a fountain that would provide for the needs of the townspeople in drinking water. At that time, Crete was part of the Venetian Republic and all the objects under construction bore a clear imprint of the Venetian architectural style. The fountain was no exception, and the columns of the Corinthian order that adorn it are proof of this. The water holes are sculpted with three lion heads embedded in a marble panel. The horizontal beam is decorated with Latin inscriptions and the graceful stone coat of arms of the Rimondi clan, to which the then governor of Rethymno belonged.
The Turks, who captured the city, rebuilt the fountain in their own way, complementing the structure with a dome and enclosing it with a wall. After the liberation of the island from Ottoman foreigners, the locals returned to their beloved fountain its original appearance. Today, like three hundred years ago, having drunk the water from the spring, lovers get a chance to stay together forever. The inhabitants of Crete believe in this old legend and must come to the Rimondi fountain on the eve of the wedding.
Rethymno lighthouse
The long-suffering island of Crete has passed from hand to hand more than once during its centuries-old history. And each stage of it left its mark in the form of architectural structures that have survived to this day.
The first half of the 19th century was the period when the Turks gave Egypt a protectorate over the island. The Egyptian lighthouse in Rethymno dates back to this time, built during the reign of Muhammad Ali, vassal of the Vice-Sultan of Egypt.
The lighthouse rises in the Venetian harbor of the old city. It is not too large by world standards - only 9 meters, but it looks very authentic in a small harbor. There are only two structures of this kind in Crete, and the second lighthouse is located in the harbor of Chania.
Archaeological Museum
Opposite the entrance to the Fortress of Fortezza, you will find the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno, located in a former Turkish prison. The exhibits of the museum collection allow us to trace the history of the region from the Neolithic era. In the halls of the Rethymno Museum, you can look at the collection of antique ceramics, see sculptures and figurines, jewelry and funeral paraphernalia, lamps and tools of labor from different eras.
The most famous exhibits and collections:
- Statue of Aphrodite from the 1st century BC, made of marble.
- A figurine of a goddess with raised arms, dating from 1300-1200 BC. The sculpture was found during archaeological excavations near Rethymno and belongs to the Minoan era.
- Head of a female statuette from Axos, made of terracotta. Dated to VI year BC.
- A collection of coins from different eras, including rarities from the times of the Kingdom of Knossos.
- A marble tombstone depicting a warrior dating from the 6th century BC.
The museum also displays stone decorations, spearheads, tools of the Neolithic era, found during excavations of the Gerani cave.
Ticket price: 2 euros.
Venetian loggia
Not far from the Venetian harbor of Rethymno, on the shopping street Arcadiou, you will find an old building with three arched facades, where the Venetian nobility gathered in the 16th century and discussed important political and economic issues. The Venetian Loggia was built according to the project of the architect Sanmikeli and has remained unchanged to this day. The innovations introduced to the project by the Turks during the Ottoman rule, the inhabitants of Rethymno, according to good tradition, were eliminated after gaining independence.
Arkadi monastery
One of the oldest Orthodox monasteries in Crete was founded in the 5th century. It is located 26 km southeast of Rethymno on the slope of Mount Ida on the site of the ancient city of Arcadia. The monastery church was built in the 16th century and its Baroque facade is considered an example of this architectural trend.
The Turks, who captured Crete in the middle of the 17th century, plundered the monastery, but after a while they allowed the monks to return. Then new persecutions followed, and it was possible to restore the monastery only at the end of the 19th century. The self-sacrifice of the monks during the Turkish assault in 1866 became an example for many, and the monastery was called a symbol of the struggle for independence from the Ottoman yoke.
In the Arkadi monastery, St. Athanasius of Constantinople, a miracle worker from a noble family of Paleologues, was born and lived during his youth.
Preveli monastery
The Stavropegic Monastery 30 km south of Rethymno was founded in the 16th century, when Crete was part of the Venetian Republic. It is built on two levels. The upper part of the monastery was consecrated in memory of John the Evangelist and remains active at the present time. The lower level is dedicated to John the Baptist and is accessible to tourists.
Like other shrines of Christianity, Preveli Monastery was destroyed during the Turkish invasion in the middle of the 17th century. It was rebuilt after World War II, when it also suffered from Nazi bombing, and today it hosts daily services.
The main shrine kept in the monastery is the miraculous cross. The relic belonged to Ephraim of Prevelia, and pilgrims believe that the cross helps heal blindness and other eye diseases. The water from the spring within the walls of the monastery is also considered healing.
The road to the monastery through the Courtagliotiko gorge is unusually picturesque. After visiting the monastery, you can swim on one of the most beautiful Cretan beaches, called Preveli or Kurtagliotiko.
To get there: intercity bus. KTEL.
Entrance ticket price: 2 euros.
Argyroupoli village
You can spend the whole day in the picturesque surroundings of Rethymno and look at the beautiful landscapes on an excursion to the village of Argyroupoli. It is located 25 km from the resort at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level on the site of the ancient settlement of Lappa. It was Lappa who in ancient times supplied mercenaries for military garrisons, and therefore the fame of the city thundered throughout the entire district. Only in 68 A. D. the formidable military garrison of Lappa surrendered to the onslaught of the Roman army led by Quintus Cecilius Metellus. Secondly, Lappa was destroyed by the Arabs in the 9th century, and after this blow the city never recovered.
The settlement, rebuilt several centuries later, was named Argyroupoli in 1822. He became famous for the fact that in 1878 it was in this village that the annexation of Crete to Greece was proclaimed. Since then, Argyroupoli has led a quiet provincial life, and all 400 of its residents are in one way or another engaged in the tourism business. They lead excursions to waterfalls and ancient ruins, cook national dishes in Greek taverns, make souvenirs for sale and meet guests in small village hotels.
Do not forget to look at the main attractions of Argyroupoli:
- Ruins of ancient Lappa with ancient Roman burials.
- The church of the Five Holy Virgins carved into the rock.
- Byzantine Church of Panagia with paintings of the XIV-XVI centuries.
- The plane tree that has been growing in the vicinity of the village for over 2000 years.
- Springs, waterfalls and the ruins of an ancient aqueduct.
To get there: bus. from the bus station of Rethymno at 10 and 13 on weekdays.
Ticket price: 3, 5 euros.
Gouor Gate
Almost imperceptible and sandwiched between the walls of neighboring buildings, the Goura Gate in Rethymno served as the main entrance to the old city during the era of the Venetian Republic. They were built in the middle of the 16th century by the project of Michele Sanmicheli, a Venetian architect and author of many urban structures of that era.
A semicircular arch about 2.5 meters wide was once crowned with a triangular pediment and decorated with the Venetian coat of arms with a winged lion. Guora, entering the gate, entered the central square of the old city, in honor of the head of which the building was named. The gate was only an element of an extended city wall and today remains its only part that has survived.
Sfedoni cave
In the list of the most beautiful Cretan caves, you will also find Sfedoni, which is 40 km southeast of Rethymno. During the excursion you can look at five underground halls, formed at least 8 million years ago.
Skillful illumination demonstrates the unique natural sights of the cave - multi-colored stalactites and stalagmites. For a safe inspection, the cave is equipped with bridges and rope ladders.
To get there: bus. from Rethymno at 5.30 and 14. Ticket - 5, 5 euros.
Ticket price: 4 euros.
