The Cretan town of Rethymno or Rethimno has existed,
in peace, since antiquity. Many historical sites and
buildings have been very well preserved. It is the
site of one of the best kept castles in Greece.
Rethymno or Rethimno Crete in Greece off course is a town of about 4000 people,
located on the island of Crete.
The town has existed here since
antiquity, but because of its location it was never
the focus of fighting and uprisings, and so has a more
gentler history than other Cretan cities in Greece.
In ancient times, Rethimno Greece minted its own coins. One
coin still in existence shows a city crest of two
dolphins in a circle.
Rethymno Crete began growing from a settlement to a city when it
became an important stop for Venetian conquerors
making their way from the city of Iraklion Crete to the city
of Chania Crete in Greece. This was after the Fourth Crusade in the
early 1200’s.
The old town section of Rethymno Greece is almost entirely
Venetian. It is one of the best preserved towns in
all of Crete Greece. Many of the Cretan buildings from the 1500’s, with
their arched doorways and stone staircases, are still
used. The old town still has narrow streets winding
their way down to the harbors in Crete.
Today the serenity found in its history is found in
town. There is a large city garden where friends,
neighbors and guests gather for shade and tranquility.
Because of its history, Rethymno Crete has The Fortetza castle, a
Venetian castle that is one of the largest, best
preserved castles in all Greece. The Fortetza castle in Crete was
built in 1573 to protect the town. Original walls,
churches and buildings remain, as does the panoramic,
sweeping view of the Mediterranean Sea. It is still
possible to walk the harbor wall to an old Venetian
lighthouse.
The old town is in close proximity to long, sandy
beaches. In fact a ferry delivers visitors right into
the old town. In exploring the city, guest have the
choice of heading toward the modern, well developed
strip of large hotels, or of finding the quiet,
intimate places in the more romantic old town.
Rethymno Crete is where one will find the Philosophical
School and University Library of the University of
Crete. The School of Social and Political Sciences is
also here.
Rethymno Greece blends old and new. Minarets and mosques
surviving since the time of Turkish occupation are
near shops. The main minaret is used today as a music
school. The noted Rimondi Fountain sits next to a
caf?. Gifts shops offering herbs, cosmetics, books,
jewelry and pottery lure shoppers into the colorful,
buzzing streets.
Rethymno Crete is noted for an open air market held on
Thursdays. Rethymno Greece is noted for wine tasting,
offering more than 460 different Greek wines or may we say Crete or Cretan wines.
Rethymno city is noted for hosting the largest Carnival
celebration in all of Crete Island.
The city is surrounded by gorges, monasteries, old
villages and ancient churches. Residents and guest
alike love to travel into the outlying hills to get a
full view of the city.
Guests include a species besides the typical human
traveler. Every summer, from June through August, sea
turtles return home to Rethymno to lay eggs on their
natal beaches in Crete.
Here are also a couple of more travel tips which can help you out while visiting Greece
Accomodation in Athens Greece Athensrooms.
Rooms in Greece a free apartment accomodation locator gotoplinkellas
Apartments rooms in Athens Greece Self catering.
Free Greek travel information travelling in Athens Greece Greek hotels Greekster.
