Rethymnon is the capital of the governmental district of the same name. It ranks as the island's cultural center.
The town gives home to several museums, to the philosopical branch of the University of Crete, and other facilities.
The landmark of ▶ Rethymnon is the Fortezza, a fortress from the Venetian aera, standing on an exposed rock that reaches into the bay. Further inland, the Venetian Old Town attaches to the fortress.
|
Slide show | Rethymnon: The fortress |
|
In its crooked lanes there are unnumbered small shops, arts and crafts workshops, restful bars, and restaurants of varied cuisine.
Right below the fortress there is the picturesque Venetian Port which is framed by the modern port's piers.
Every Thursday, the large parking ground in the town center hosts the legendary weekly street market of Rethymnon. The place changed several times during the years before, but that could not impair the colourful buzzle at all.
Road distance: 12 km