Rethymno Maps

Rethymno is a city on the northern coast of Crete, capital of the Rethymno regional unit. With a population of approximately 35,000, it is Crete's third-largest city after Heraklion and Chania. The city combines Venetian and Ottoman architectural heritage with a long sandy beach, making it an important cultural and tourism center.

The Fortezza, a massive Venetian fortress completed in 1590, dominates the city from a hill overlooking the harbor. Built to defend against pirate raids and Ottoman attacks, the star-shaped fortification is one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in Crete. The interior contains a mosque, the Sultan Ibrahim Mosque, built by the Ottomans after they captured the fortress in 1646, along with ruins of Venetian buildings, barracks, and cisterns.

The old town preserves its Venetian street layout with narrow streets, arched doorways, and stone buildings from the 15th and 16th centuries. The Rimondi Fountain, built in 1626, features three lion heads spouting water under arched niches, serving as a landmark in the old town center. The Venetian Loggia, originally a meeting place for nobles, was reconstructed and now houses the Archaeological Museum's shop. The Neratze Mosque, originally the Venetian Church of Santa Maria, was converted to a mosque in 1657 and now serves as a concert hall, preserving its distinctive minaret.

The Archaeological Museum of Rethymno occupies a former Turkish prison and displays artifacts from the region spanning from Neolithic times through the Roman period, with particular emphasis on Minoan civilization finds from local excavations. The Historical and Folklore Museum showcases traditional Cretan life, crafts, and textiles. The Venetian Harbor, built in the 14th century, remains picturesque despite silting that reduced its functionality. A lighthouse stands at the harbor entrance. The old town contains several Ottoman architectural elements, including preserved wooden balconies and fountains. Rethymno hosts an annual Renaissance Festival celebrating the city's Venetian heritage.