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Town of Rethimno
Rethimno Port
Rethymno is the capital of the Prefecture of the same
name and it is built between two other large cities of Crete. In the east is
Iraklion (80 km) and to the west is Chania (60 km). It lies along the north
coast, having to the east one of the largest sand beaches in Crete (12 km) and
to the west a rocky coastline that ends up to another large sand beach after 10
km. It is the administrative, communications and commercial center of the
Prefecture with approximately 20.000 inhabitants.
Access
There is direct connection all year round from the port of
Rethymno to Piraeus.Tours to Santorini are also organized during the summer.
Rethymno does not have an airport but the city is served by the airports of
Chania and Heraklio.
Public buses can be used for travelling to Chania, Heraklio
and most of the towns and villages of the Prefecture of Rethymno.
History
Rethymnon became a city during the Venetian occupation. The
Venetians needed an intermediary port for their operations for their ships
travelling from Iraklion to Chania. They also needed an administrative
center, so Rethymno became the third bigger city in Crete and an important
cultural center. Rethymno was destroyed in 1567 when Algerian pirates conquered,
robbed and burned it. The Turks took over Rethymno at 1646
Rethimno Forteza
Sights
The town still maintains its old aristocratic appearance,
with its buildings dating from the 16th century, arched doorways, stone
staircases, Byzantine and Hellenic-Roman remains, small Venetian harbor and
narrow streets. The Venetian Loggia today houses the Archaeological Museum of
Rethymno. The big municipal gardens are ideal for those in search of shade and
tranquillity.
Throughout the year various activities are organized which
draw a large crowd.
The Wine Festival is held there annually at the beginning of
July.
Another festival is held on 7-8th of November, in memory of
the destruction of Arcadi Monastery.
Rethimno Port
Facilities
Rethimno is a city that caters to the needs of the visitor.
There are a lot of places to stay ranging from luxury hotels to rent a room, bed
and breakfast apartment buildings. Night life can range from extremely intense
in the pubs and bars around the harbor and inside the old city , to relaxed in
small bars right on the beach.There is always fresh fish to be found in the
tavernas around the harbor and there are many other restaurants and tavernas
outside the city in equally attractive surroundings
Arabatzoglou Street
A commercial road with many old buildings. Shopping could
also be interesting at Rethimno. There are lots of small shops with attractive
merchantise from souvenirs, cards, etc to the most rare kind of sponge.
CRETE MAPS
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