RETHIMNO

Rethimno

TRAVEL PATHWAYS

The city of Rethymno, built directly on ancient Rhythmna, is distinguished from Heraklion and Chania, as here the Greek Renaissance character dominates, since most noblemen were Greeks, the so-called "nocturnal". Emblematic presence is the famous Venetian castle of Fortetsa, on the hill of Palaikastro. The magnificent pentagonal building is sized to accommodate the entire city, with barracks, a hospital, a church and the Erofili Theater where events take place in the summers. Approximately in the center of the Fortress stands the magnificent mosque of Ibrahim Khan, and nearby there is the present temple of Saint Catherine. Downhill the narrow streets in the old town, with the fragrant gardens and Venetian mansions of Arkadi Street, and when you get tired, sit in one of the picturesque cafes and taste the raki with Cretan mezedes. In the center of the old town, visit the Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon and admire findings that represent all periods from Neolithic to Roman times such as the marvelous statue of Aphrodite, examples of hagiographical art, etc. The Museum of Contemporary Art, housed in a beautiful Venetian building and hosts samples of Greek visual arts from 1950 to today is also interesting . Here lies the Municipal Art Gallery "L. Kanakakis ", with his own works and many others. For lovers of history and tradition in general, a visit to the Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymnon is a good choice. A bunch of thematic collections are housed in a 19th-century Renaissance building, with the larger one containing personal items of El. Venizelos, banner of the Cretan Revolution, historical documents etc There is also the Rimondi Fountain nearby to cool you and take you to old seasons full of glamour. So does the Loggia just below, with its large Venetian windows - exhibited showrooms, and the courtyard, which hosts an outdoor exhibition of Venetian sculptures, creating excellent impressions. At dusk, do not get bored to venture into the Venetian harbor, at the edge of the old pier, to admire the elaborate nine-meter-long Egyptian Lighthouse of the city. The view of the sunset is amazing. If you are on the island during the summer, you can get a taste of the cultural events of the city with events such as the Wine Festival and the Renaissance Festival. If you come back in February, you can get into the wild rhythms of the Rethymno Carnival or a little earlier to join the Treasure Hunt of the city.