Crete is a known destination for walkers, especially during spring and autumn! Everybody knows the famous gorge of Samaria which attracts every year thousands of people. Also, the beautiful long distance trail E4 that runs through Crete is a famous walker's attraction! But what about the cities of Crete? Most people that visit the city of Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion in Crete see the same known parts and streets and miss a lot of other interesting parts of the city. Nowadays, with google maps, all kinds of apps and many city guidebooks you can find many things by yourself. It's also nice just to wander around through a town without a real plan! But, in this article we give you some tips and ideas to discover some special corners of the interesting town of Rethymnon. Which parts of the town or walks you can do, individually or even with a local city guide? We wrote already a blog about the city of Chania, so now the next beautiful Venetian town, Rethymnon!
City walking in Rethymnon
Rethymnon is together with Chania the most beautiful city of the island. The city is small (ca. 35.000 inhabitants) and has a very compact centre. Typical is the huge Venetian fortress domination the city and the small Venetian harbour! Although small, there is so much to discover and you can do that perfectly on foot! The most known part to walk around is the old part of the town with its Venetian harbour and beautiful Venetian and Turkish mansions. This attracts every year thousands of visitors. The fortress is so big, it almost a walk on its own with lots of interesting sights to admire!
The old Venetian harbour in Rethymnon
Outside the old town there are also some very interesting parts to walk around. To the east part of the town you can walk along the boulevard towards the new harbour with great views towards the town and the fortress. Towards the western part of the town you will see the old soap factories, again good views. There is also a very pretty public park, a oasis of peace and quietness just next to the city centre. These wonderful areas you can explore perfectly on foot (see guidebook below).
Interesting sights and areas of Rethymnon
The Fortezza, seen from the western part of the city
Fortezza: One of the most impressive sights in Rethymnon town is the ‘Fortezza’. It is visible from every corner of the town and offers panoramic views over the city and the coast to the west. The’ Fortezza’ was built by the Venetians (It began construction) in 1573. The fortress was finally completed in 1580. The construction was based on the principle of the bastion system and consisted of 4 bastions and 3 salients. After the fortress was completed it was discovered the space was too small to house all the buildings. Only the Venetian administration and the Military administration were housed in the Fortezza.
The ‘Fortezza’ was surrendered to the Turks on 13 November 1646. The Turks did not make noticeable changes to the layout of the Fortezza. At the site of the church of St. Nikolaos the Turks built the Sultan Ibrahim Mosque. Many more houses were gradually built and by the middle of the 19th century a large settlement had been created inside the fort.
Today the outer fortifications of the Fortezza are preserved intact and some buildings are still being restored. A very interesting walk along all the sights on the Fortress you find in our booklet Discover Rethymnon... on Foot.
Venetian doorframes and Turkish balconies: When walking through the many small streets of the old town you will notice the many beautiful decorated Venetian doorframes! These decorated doorframes were of majestic mansions and were evidence of their wealth. This attractive doorframes were often richly decorated with natural motives. These door frames were made in the Renaissance style. Some of them were kept simple but others had more elaborate ornaments, columns and fine entablatures.
During the Turkish occupation the existing Venetian mansions were modified and decorated in Turkish style. Wood became more dominant and replaced the Venetian stone. The walls were plastered and the top level of the house was made to project over the street, forming a wooden balcony. It is said that these balconies were built so that the wives of prosperous Muslims could sit in the sun and watch all that was going on below without being seen by people on the street. In the narrow streets of Rethymnon many of these elegant houses still survive. Some have been
nicely restored but unfortunately many are decaying.During the Turkish occupation many houses were transformed and decorated in Turkish style. Wood became more dominant and replaced
the Venetian stone.
Mosques and churches: Although a small city, there are numerous churches, chapel and (former) mosques to be find. On the Fortress you find the Mosque of Sultan Ibrahim Han and in the centre the Neratze Mosque and the Valide Sultana Mosque. Walking a bit outside the city centre you find the The Mastaba Mosque (now in use as the Paleontological Museum). As often those mosques used to be Venetian churches and were converted to a mosque during the Ottoman Period.
When you walk through the old centre of Rethymnon you find many churches and chapels like the beautiful church of Kyria ton Angelon or the Metropolitan Church with its separate bell tower. But you can find also a small hidden chapels like the one of Agios Georgios in the centre, the cave church of Agios Spyridon at the outside of the Venetian walls or of Agios Antonios just outside the centre.
Individual walking in Rethymnon
To explore Rethymnon on foot by yourselves, the walking booklet Discover Rethymnon... on foot is a real help to discover the hidden places of this beautiful city! The book has 4 city walks accompanied by lots of (historical) information, useful tips, photos and clear maps! You can explore the historical centre but also the just outside the city centre. You also find 4 walks just outside Rethymnon of which 3 start in the beautiful village of Chromonastiri. With these walks you can discover the beautiful hinterland of Rethymnon!
Some example pages of the booklet
Guided walks in Rethymnon
There are several agencies that offer a guided tour in the city. You can find information for example through www.getyourguide.com.
Outside the city of Rethymnon Happy Feet Crete organizes guided walks in the hinterland. Small groups and lots of knowledge of the local nature and life!!
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