Rethymno and the Venetian Fortress

A historical town on the island of Crete. It is interesting for tourists primarily because of the huge fortress, originally built by the Venetians in 1540 - 1569. However, this first fortress was captured and destroyed just two years after construction and it became clear that more powerful defences were needed. Between 1573 and 1590, the fortress was rebuilt and became one of the largest in Crete. The second fortress was not captured, however, in 1646 the defenders had to surrender to the Turks, who besieged it from the land.


At the moment the fortress is in excellent condition and is a popular tourist attraction.
























The Ibrahim Khan Mosque was built during Turkish rule.




Views from the fortress




If you are driving, you can park on the sea side access roads 35.372528, 24.472917 or in the paid parking lot 35.370639, 24.472194.




The path leading to the fortress




After the fortress, we walked around the old town of Rethymno. Unlike Herakleon or Agios Nikolaos, there are more walking opportunities and a nicer promenade. Although, still like other towns in Crete, most of old town is completely unsuitable for tourism. Nor for modern life.




As we already know from the fortress, the city was built by the Venetians and captured by the Turks in the 17th century.




From the fortress we walked along a very pleasant pedestrian street, Nikiforou Foka, which led us to the central park. There are many such streets in the old town.




Monument to lawyer Titos Petihakis, who ran the city from 1926 to 1950 and was responsible for many modernizations such as electrification, paving streets and building a modern sewage system.


City streets


The Rimondi Fountain, built in 1626 and mentioned in all guidebooks. In the daytime there is a real pilgrimage of tourists and I don't see the point of going to it. Small ruins in the middle of restaurants and crowds of people. You can go early in the morning.


Rethymnon seafront


All the vaulted rooms in the two- or three-story buildings of the former harbor have been converted into small and picturesque fish taverns.


Customs building (1931)






The lighthouse was built during the Egyptian occupation of Crete in the decade after 1830, when the Turks handed Crete over to the Egyptians.


City beach


Getting there: we parked in the paid parking lot near the fortress 35.370639, 24.472194.