Rethymnon – Holidays in Crete

For a town that’s the third largest on Crete, Rethymnon has retained a surprising amount of character and a lingering sleepy air about it. The Old Town remains relatively unchanged, although there’s a lively social scene centred around the portside bars and a good selection of shops.  Dating back as far as the Mycenean period, the settlement of Rethymnon has survived the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, as well as the 16th century Venetian occupation, which has left its architectural mark most strongly.

The harbour is dominated by the Venetian fortress, which is claimed to be the largest ever built.  Constructed in 1590 to protect from pirates and Turkish marauders, it was spectacularly unsuccessful.  The Turks simply bypassed the Fortezza and took the city within 24 hours.  Today it’s a cultural centre with an outdoor theatre and the best vantage-point to get a panoramic view of the town.

The town beach is easily found right in the heart of Rethymnon, with showers and cafés, as well as a row of tavernas behind it.  Other sights include a Venetian Loggia, the Archaelogical Museum, municipal gardens and two mosques converted from a Christian church and a Venetian monastry.  The richly-decorated Rimondi fountain can be found in Platanos Square, the centre of the Venetian town.

The surrounding countryside is definitely worth a visit, becoming even more beautiful as you move towards the interior of the island.  The remote Monastery of Arkadi became a centre for revolutionaries during the Turkish occupation, due to its inaccessible location.  Nowadays it’s an easy drive from the more urban delights of Rethymnon town.