VENETIAN FORTRESS

To the north of the city, the Venetian fortress dominates the city of Rethymnon with a benevolent eye. It is built on the site of the acropolis of the ancient city of Rithymna and the temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis Roccaia. High up and facing the sea, the fortress known as La Fortezza offers a magnificent view of the city, worthy of the most beautiful postcards. Construction began in 1573 by the Venetians (under the direction of Pallavicini and the plans of the architect Sanmicheli), on the hill of Palaiokastro, south of the current city, and was completed around 1580. The building was designed and built to protect the entrance to the port of Rethymnon, following a pirate attack the previous year. Rethymnon had been chosen as a refuge by the Venetians, which is why they built this small port halfway between Hania and Heraklion - in fact, the new town needed fortifications. Inside there is a church (Agios Theodoros), a chapel (St. Catherine), a mosque (of Sultan Ibrahim), old dungeons and some other buildings (probably administrative buildings and residences) with a disconcerting charm. It is only after the Second World War that all its inhabitants left the houses of residence inside the fortifications and lived in the heart of the current city of Rethymnon. Its history is therefore dense and rich, but unfortunately the site lacks a little information on the spot and certainly maintenance. The external fortifications are in perfect condition today and a work of restoration of the interior monuments was started on the site since the beginning of the Nineties. The visit of the remains and the site can easily last more than an hour.

This typical fortress, in the style of Heraklion, offers a nice walk to all those who seek the coolness of the thick walls at the end of the day, but also a beautiful view of the old city. In the hot summer days, beware: there is almost no shade and the sun is beating down! We appreciate it especially in the morning when it is not yet hot, and in the beginning of the summer evening when the sun goes down (the doors closing just after).

At the entrance of the fortress, we quickly come across the Erofili theater, an open-air theater which regularly hosts shows - especially in the summer with the Renaissance festival where plays are played, both classical and for children (www.rethymno.gr).