Third largest city in Crete
Rethymnon is the capital of the district of the same name and, with around 20.000 inhabitants, is in third place after Heraklion and Chania. The city is considered the spiritual center of the island, is the seat of the University of Crete and the Philosophical School, which opened in 1978.
Today's Rethymnon was built on the ruins of the ancient city of Rithymna, which flourished in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. experienced. However, it only became more important under the Venetians (1204-1669).
Today's old town is shaped by the most diverse architectural influences of its conquerors. In addition to Byzantine and Venetian churches, you will also find Turkish minarets, narrow streets with medieval buildings as well as Venetian doors and house facades with Turkish additions. Most of these buildings are listed and have been beautifully restored.
The palm-lined coastal road, the ruga grande of the Venetians, turns into the center of nightlife in the evening when traffic is prohibited.
The new town is subdivided into the old town and then spreads towards the southeast. Most of its beach side is built on with extensive hotel complexes, which are repeatedly separated from each other by a lot of green.
