Rethymnon Old Town
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Why go
- The Loggia, once the club for Venetian officials.
- The Fortezza's bastions, joined by straight walls sloped outward to deflect enemy shot.
- Porta Guora, a remnant of the old fortifications, at the start of Resistance Street.
- The Ibrahim Khan, a former Venetian cathedral and later a mosque, now an art exhibition space with an 11-metre dome.
- The former church of Agiou Frangiskou (St Francis), now an archaeological museum.
Tips for your visit
- Begin at Porta Guora, where Resistance Street starts, then follow the narrow lanes into the old town.
- Narrow lanes and stone staircases lead past arched doorways and Byzantine remains.
- Many private buildings, especially their doorways, are counted among the old town's monuments, so look at the doors as you walk.
- The square holds a memorial, a culture house, a music school, a church and a folklore museum.
- The square was named in 1922 for refugees who settled in the town and for the catastrophe's victims.
- A church built in 1625 by Venetian builders stands among the old town's monuments.
Interesting facts8
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The old town keeps its old aristocratic appearance.
Rethymno - Wikipedia -
Byzantine remains survive in the old town, along with arched doorways, stone staircases and narrow streets.
Rethymno - Wikipedia -
A pentagonal outwork at the east gate of the fortress, the ravelin, was built by the Ottomans.
Παλιά πόλη Ρεθύμνου - Wikipedia -
The minaret is under repair because it has developed a slight tilt.
Παλιά πόλη Ρεθύμνου - Wikipedia -
A former church now serves as an Orthodox place of worship dedicated to Theotokos.
Παλιά πόλη Ρεθύμνου - Wikipedia -
The mosque building now serves as a music school.
Παλιά πόλη Ρεθύμνου - Wikipedia -
The mosque of Veli Pasha dates from the 17th century.
Παλιά πόλη Ρεθύμνου - Wikipedia -
2003
The saint of one church here has been the town's patron since 2003.
Παλιά πόλη Ρεθύμνου - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
The Republic of Venice built almost all of the old town, and many of its buildings date from the 16th century. Under Venetian rule, grand Renaissance buildings went up, and the Fortezza was built as the town's fortress. Under Ottoman rule the Ibrahim Khan was converted from a cathedral into a mosque, and a dome 11 metres across was added to it.
- NeolithicShards are found on the hill where the fortress now stands
- Venetian periodThe Republic of Venice builds almost all of the old town
- 1573Rector Alvise Lando founds the Fortezza
- 1580Building work inside the Fortezza walls is completed
- 1646A former church is converted into a mosque by a pasha
Show all
- Ottoman periodThe Ottomans use the fortress, add a pentagonal outwork at its east gate and convert the Ibrahim Khan cathedral into a mosque
- Second World WarMuch of the old town survives the wartime damage
Sources: Rethymno - Wikipedia · Παλιά πόλη Ρεθύμνου - Wikipedia · Rethymno - Wikipedia · Réthymnon - Wikipedia · checked 18 Oct 2026
Questions and answers
How old is Rethymnon Old Town?
The Republic of Venice built almost all of the old town, and many of its buildings date from the 16th century.
When was the Fortezza in Rethymnon Old Town built?
Rector Alvise Lando founded the Fortezza in 1573. Building work inside its walls was completed in 1580.
Is the minaret in Rethymnon Old Town under repair?
Yes. The minaret is under repair because it has developed a slight tilt.
Did war damage Rethymnon Old Town?
Yes, the Second World War damaged parts of the town, but much of the old town survived the wartime damage.
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