Rethymnon sightseing

The number of places to see and visit are many in Rethymnon and a good place to start is the old Venetian harbour and Lighthouse (Faros) closely followed by the Fortezza, whose foundations were laid in 1537.

The Lontzia (Loggia), is a structure built in the mid 16th century, and is a prime example of renaissance architecture. Like most old buildings it has been used for various purposed over the centuries. Today a branch of the archaeological department sells copies of original ancient works and is housed there.

The elaborate fountain of Rimondi is in the centre of the city. The mosque of Neratzes with its impressive minaret which today serves as a conservatoire is worth seeing. Do not miss out on the remarkable basilica of St. Francis or the ancient post-Minoan necropolis at the site of Armenoi (Armeni). The Guora Gate is quite interesting, still standing today, it is the only part of the city’s Venetian Walls that have remained.

Converted from the still older Venetian monastery of Saint Barbara, the Kara Mousa Pasha mosque is another mosque to see. In order to encourage the expansion of Islam, this was a practice that was prolific during the time of Ottoman expansion.

If only for an educational experience of how men enjoyed themselves at the time, the old Turkish baths built in 1670 worth seeing.

There is also an old train which gives a tour of the old city if walking is not for you.

All venues are worth visiting and will fill your days with interesting and educational things to do because Rethymno has a distinctly rich cultural life and some small but important museums that are worth visiting one of which is the Archaeological Museum which is housed in the aforementioned fortress of Fortezza. Housed in an old Venetian mansion the Historical and Folklore Museum and also the Marine Museum with its truly amazing collection of shells and species of underwater life, the Centre of Contemporary Art with compelling modern paintings is well worth looking at if art is your “button”.