Rethymnon Town ~ ΡέθυμνοWe love Rethymnon town. There is so much to see and do, we never stop discovering new spots. We are happy to share some of our favourites. Known for its picturesque old town and Venetian harbour, travellers will find a world of history in Rethymnon. Rethymnon is on the north coast 80 kms from Iraklio, and 60 kms from Chania; it is capital of the prefecture nomos Rethymnon.  Rethymnon HistoryRethymnon town was built on the site of ancient Rithymna, part of the ancient Minoan civilisation.Rethymnon shares the long and colourful history of Crete. The ancient Minoan period from 2600 to 1100 BC, the Geometric and Daedalian period 1100-620 BC, the Classical 500-330 BC and Hellenistic 330-67 BC periods and Greco-Roman period 67 BC-323 AD. After the First Byzantine period 330-824 came the years of Arab rule between 824-961, after liberation the Second Byzantine period 961-1210 after which came Venetian and Genoan rule then Turkish rule for 400 years. Liberation came again in 1898 after many terrible and rebellious years. Unification with the modern state of Greece came in 1913.
The Venetian Fortress on the point, dating from the 16th century, is built of the site of paleio kastro or old castle, and archaeological excavations have found coins from the early Minoan period on the same site. We can guess that a shrine or sanctuary was located here, worshipping gods and goddesses and dolphins from the sea as depicted on the coins. Walking around RethymnonThe first place to seek out in the old town is the Rimondi Fountain (above) 1626 in Plateia Petychaki. It is known as the Liondaria…the Lions.The narrow medieval streets and the Great Gate mark the transition from the old town to the new town, dating from 1568. The Minaret of the Neratze Mosque (below) from 1657, was built on the Venetian church of Santa Maria, and is now used as a music school.
The tight old harbour of Rethymnon with its many Venetian townhouses and restaurants is quite touristy and touts can be a little too eager, it leads on to the lighthouse, and on to the long sandy town beach to the east. All around the old town are wonderful examples of Venetian architecture preserved in private houses. The doorways especially hold great historic interest. The Venetian Loggia, from the 16th century, used to be a gentlemen’s club and is now the Rethymnon information office, is just down from the Liondaria.
Taverna Gounas has traditional Cretan music and dancing and it is vital to any visitor to come and experience the Rethymniots hospitality. A skinny little joint on Panou Koroneou, don’t underestimate how serious these guys are about their music. Even in the shoulder season, this is a jumping warm-hearted place where you will meet everyone on your table. Leap into the dancing and you will never look back.
We love wandering along Odos Kefalogiannidon, enjoying the café strip by the fortress at sunset. One great funky café bar is Mare Nostro.
The proud presentation of the Rethymnon Renaissance Festival with Cretan folk music, flamenco, telling of fairy tales, cinema and graphic arts adding colour and life all around the town occurs each year during summer.
Pandelis Prevelakis was a poet and author born in Rethymnon town in 1908. His titles include 'The Sun of Death' published in 1959. We love the beautiful organics store Arkefthos, with its natural products, at Cathedral Square, M. Mousourou 11, Rethymnon town.
Activities in RethymnonFrom the Venetian Harbour in Rethymnon town leaves a very special day tour with Pirate Barbarossa. The cruise takes you past dolphin waters to beautiful beaches, pirate caves and Marathi near Chania, in the beautiful Souda Bay. Pirates were active around Crete in the 16th Century and none more fierce or wild than Barbarossa, click here to learn more about Johnny Depps's friend, Pirate Barbarossa. Accommodation in Rethymnon Old Town
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