Rethymno, Rethymno

Rethymno is a city on the north coast of Crete, in Greece. It is the capital of the Rethymno regional unit. The city was built on the site of the ancient Minoan city of Rithymna. Rethymno has a population of 34,085 (2021 census).

History

Prehistoric and Ancient Times

Evidence suggests that the area of Rethymno has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. Rethymno was likely founded by the Minoans in the Late Minoan period (1350-1250 BC). The city-state of Rithymna was known from the 5th century BC. Rithymna was an autonomous city-state with a focus on maritime activities. The city’s patron gods were Apollo and Athena.

Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman Periods

During the Byzantine period (330-1453 AD), many Byzantine families settled in the Rethymno area.

In the Venetian period (1211-1669 AD), Rethymno flourished as a trading port. Many Renaissance buildings were constructed during this time.

The city declined under Ottoman rule (1669-1897 AD). Many residents were subjected to slavery, taxes, and forced labor.

During the Greek War of Independence (1821-1829), there were massacres of civilians in Rethymno and the surrounding villages.

After Crete became independent (1897), Rethymno began to develop again. Infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and schools were constructed.

Modern Period

Thousands of Greek refugees from Asia Minor settled in Rethymno in the 1920s. This influx of refugees contributed to the city’s cultural and economic development.

Rethymno suffered some damage during World War II, but a significant part of the Venetian-era old town survived. The old town is one of the best-preserved Venetian towns in Greece.

Geography

Rethymno is located in a large basin surrounded by mountains to the south and a long sandy beach to the north. The highest mountain in the area is Vryssinas (858 m). Several streams flow through Rethymno, but most of them have been covered over.

Culture

Rethymno has a rich cultural heritage. The city hosts a number of cultural events throughout the year, including the Renaissance Festival and the Rethymno Carnival.

Points of Interest

Municipal Garden

The Municipal Garden is located near the center of the city. It has a playground, fountains, and a café. The garden is used for recreation, as well as political and cultural events. It is a botanical garden that is home to some rare plants.

Mikrasiaton Square

Mikrasiaton Square is located in the old town. It is named in memory of the Greek refugees from Asia Minor who settled in Rethymno in 1922. The square is home to the Monument to the Asia Minor Catastrophe, the House of Culture, the Odeon (Neratze Mosque), the church of Agios Fragkiskos, and the Folklore Museum.

Venetian Monuments

  • Fortezza: The Fortezza is a 16th-century Venetian fortress. It was built according to the Venetian system of defensive architecture. The fortress was used by the Ottomans after they captured the city.
  • Porta Guora: The Porta Guora is a remnant of the Venetian fortifications.
  • Rimóndi Fountain: The Rimóndi Fountain is a Venetian fountain.
  • The Loggia: The Loggia was a Venetian club for officials.
  • Agia Varvara Church: The Agia Varvara Church was built in 1625 by the Venetians.
  • Other Venetian Monuments: There are many other Venetian monuments in Rethymno, including the church of Agios Fragkiskos (now an archaeological museum), the church of Santa Maria (now the Odeon), and many private buildings.

Ottoman Monuments

  • Ibrahim Khan Mosque: The Ibrahim Khan Mosque was originally a Venetian cathedral, but it was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman period.
  • Veli Pasha Mosque: The Veli Pasha Mosque is a 17th-century mosque.
  • Valide Sultan Mosque: The Valide Sultan Mosque is an Ottoman mosque.
  • Neratze Mosque: The Neratze Mosque was originally the church of Santa Maria, but it was converted into a mosque in 1646.
  • Agia Varvara Monastery: The Agia Varvara Monastery was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman period.

Statues and Monuments

  • Monument to the Mikrasiates: The Monument to the Mikrasiates is located in Mikrasiaton Square.
  • Monument to the Fallen Greek Scouts: The Monument to the Fallen Greek Scouts is located in the city center.
  • Statue of Kostis Giamboudakis: The Statue of Kostis Giamboudakis is located in the city center.
  • Statue of Eleftherios Venizelos: The Statue of Eleftherios Venizelos is located in the city center.
  • Statue of the Unknown Soldier: The Statue of the Unknown Soldier is located in the city center.
  • Bust of Archimandrite Grigorios Vorgiadakis: The Bust of Archimandrite Grigorios Vorgiadakis is located in the city center.
  • Bust of Kalliroi Parren: The Bust of Kalliroi Parren is located in the city center.

Church of the Four Martyrs

The Church of the Four Martyrs is a three-aisled church that was inaugurated in 1975. It is dedicated to the Four New Martyrs Angelis, Manouil, Georgios, and Nikolaos, who were martyred in 1824. The church is built on the site of an earlier church. The central aisle is dedicated to the Four Martyrs, the north aisle to the Forty Martyrs, and the south aisle to the Ten Martyrs of Crete. The icons in the iconostasis were painted by the famous Mikrasiate iconographer Fotis Kontoglou.

Museums

  • Archaeological Museum of Rethymno: The Archaeological Museum of Rethymno is housed in the church of Agios Fragkiskos. The museum’s exhibits come from various parts of the Rethymno regional unit and represent all periods of prehistory and history.
  • Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymno: The Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymno is housed in a restored 17th-century Venetian building. The museum’s exhibits include costumes, textiles, embroidery, lace, ceramics, metalwork, and historical photographs and maps.
  • Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete: The Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete has a permanent collection of approximately 650 works by contemporary Greek artists. The museum is housed in a Venetian building in the old town.
  • Paleontological Museum of Rethymno: The Paleontological Museum of Rethymno is housed in the Veli Pasha Mosque. The museum’s exhibits include fossils from Crete.
  • Museum of Education of the University of Crete: The Museum of Education of the University of Crete contains historical material and documents from the Pedagogical Academy of Heraklion, as well as important exhibits from Greek schools from the late 18th century to the late 20th century.
  • Permanent Exhibition of the Hellenic Speleological Society: The Permanent Exhibition of the Hellenic Speleological Society is entitled “Caves, Monuments of Natural and Cultural Heritage”. The exhibition is located at 14 Patelarou Street.

Infrastructure

Bus

The bus is the only means of public transportation in Rethymno. There are regular departures from Rethymno to most villages in the Rethymno regional unit, as well as to Chania and Heraklion.

Air

Rethymno is served by the airports of Chania and Heraklion. There are also plans to build a seaplane base in Rethymno.

Sea

Rethymno has limited ferry connections to the rest of Greece. There are summer ferry services to and from Santorini.

Other

There are three taxi companies operating in Rethymno.

Road Network

The A90 motorway (also known as the VOAK) passes around the city of Rethymno. The VOAK is currently under construction and will eventually connect Rethymno with Kissamos, Chania, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, and Sitia. There are also four provincial roads that start in Rethymno.

Education

Rethymno has 16 primary schools, 14 kindergartens, 4 secondary schools, 1 music school, 1 experimental secondary school, 3 upper secondary schools, 1 evening upper secondary school, 1 experimental upper secondary school, 1 vocational upper secondary school, 1 vocational training center, and 1 special education school.

Higher Education

Rethymno is home to the University of Crete, which has approximately 10,500 students. The university has a Faculty of Philosophy, a School of Education, and a School of Social and Political Sciences. The university also has a library.

The Hellenic Mediterranean University has a School of Music and Optoacoustic Technologies in Rethymno. The school has two departments: the Department of Music Technology and Acoustics and the Department of Music Studies.

The Research Center for Plasma Physics and Lasers is also located in Rethymno. The center is a National Research Infrastructure in the field of lasers and materials.

There is also a private vocational training institute in Rethymno.

Public Central Library

The Public Central Library of Rethymno was founded in 1887. The library has a collection of over 3,000 books, including a local collection of Cretan publications, rare books, and archival and photographic material about Rethymno.

Local Holidays

  • November 8: Anniversary of the Arkadi Monastery holocaust
  • December 4: Feast of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of the city

Settlement: Key Points

  • Historical References: Ancient city-state of Rithymna
  • Location: North coast of Crete, Greece
  • Historical Significance: Minoan settlement, Venetian trading port
  • Population Data:
Year
Population
Notes
1881
7,889
1865 Christians, 6024 Muslims
1900
7,955
2986 Christians, 4953 Muslims
1928
8,632
1940
11,288
1981
18,190
1991
23,355
2001
27,868
2011
32,468
2021
34,085
  • Current Status: Capital of the Rethymno regional unit

References

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