Worth visiting sights

Yakinthia

Cultural events and festivals in the woods of Psiloritis

The first law of Minos read as follows: "Being beautiful means that when you admire a forest you think about what the forests thinks of you. Can you live up to that?"

We sing in celebration of the forest, this form of life wot hich we owe our breath.

All events are held in the theatre of Aghios Yakinthos.

The small theatre of Aghios Yakinthos seats 1000 spectators. Located at the foot of Mt Psiloritis, it has been recently completed in order to host all events. It is fully integrated into the surrounding natural scenery since the twenty trees that existed on the site were preserved in order to provide a "natural stage setting". Most concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and end before it gets dark, thus, allowing spectators to enjoy the magnificent landscape of Psiloritis in daylight on their way up to the theatre.

The Renaissance festival

The famous Renaissane festival is a summer event held annually since 1987 by the Municipality of Rethymno. Rethymno’s rich Renaissance background in architecture and letters gave rise to a series of events aiming to promote Cretan and European Renaissance. Over the years, in the framework of this festival, all Cretan theatrical plays have been staged, as well as numerous plays by Shakespear, Moliere, Goldoni, etc. A great many music bands from all over the world have performed a large and varied selection of music from the Renaissance period right through to the 21st century. Moreover, Commedia dell’ Arte plays have been staged in the alleys of Venetian Rethymno. Paining exhibitions, lectures and cinematic events are also mounted in the course of the festival.

Almost every event takes place at the Erofili Theatre in the fortress. Walking up the stone-paved alley leading to the Fortezza in order to enjoy all the wonderful theatrical, music and dance shows under the evening summer sky is indeed a delightful experience. The festival is held from July through September.

The Cretan wine festival

The Travelling Club of Rethymno organizes the Cretan Wine festival in the heart of Rethymno every summer. It features a rich program, with Cretan and Greek folk music groups performing every night in front of thousands of visitors who flock to the festival to enjoy a typical folk Greek party. Wine is abundantly consumed since it is free. Visitors have the chance to savor a variety of wines from the largest Cretan wineries, reputed for their taste and aroma.

The Rethymno Carnival

Today the Rethymno Carnival is the biggest one in Crete and one of the major carnivals throughout the country. In addition, other than the great parade, a number of carnival-related events take place. The festivities on Tsiknopempti ("Pancake Day") held in Platanos and Mikri PanAghia with live music catering to all tastes and a variety of mezedes and wine, is a much anticipated event, since it has been associated in recent years with the biggest open-air party in town.

The first humorous events held in the context of the Rethymno carnival are traced in the early 20th century (1915). Despite the era’s social and financial difficulties, in 1926 and 1933 carnivals were organized featuring impressive chariots that excited the people of Rethymno.
1959. The Traveling Club revived this wonderful custom, and the carnival becomes an institution in the prefecture. The appeal of the Pankritia. People in costumes rejoice in an ambience of music and confetti showered upon them by people watching from their balconies. The inhabitants of Rethymno welcome "His Highness the King of the Carnival" with roars of laughter!

Archaeological Sites

Eleftherna

Excavations in the region of Eleftherna commenced in 1985, and have brought to light a necropolis dating from the Geometric and Archaic periods, as well as Hellenistic and Roman buildings in the area of the modern-day village of "Archaia (Ancient) Eleftherna". Professor P. Themelis, the archaeologist in charge, has excavated part of the settlement through all its chronological periods, from pre-historic to Early Christian days.

Late Minoan Cemetery at Armeni

The renowned cemetery at Armeni, dating from the Late Minoan period (13th / 12th centuries B.C.) was discovered ten kilometres south of the city of Rethymno, near to the village of the same name and next to a beautiful forest of oak trees. Systematic excavations commenced in 1969 and have brought to light over 220 tombs. Digs continue with the aim of finding the city that this cemetery served.

Idean Andron (The Idaean Cave)

On the Nida plateau, at an altitude of 1538 m. lies the "Great Cave of the Shepherdess" (Spiliara tis Voskopoulas), where, according to myth, Zeus, the father of the Olympian Gods was reared, or perhaps even born.

Bronze shield showing the Kuretes striking their shields

Monasteraki

The village of Monasteraki, located in the plain of Amari, 38 kilometres from Rethymno, is the site of a building complex which was probably constructed circa 2,000 BC and violently destroyed, either by earthquake or by fire around 1,700 BC. This building complex includes storage rooms, sanctuaries and two archival areas that yielded a plethora of earthenware seals, leading to the belief that originally it may have been a palace.

Lappa

The modern-day village of Argyroupoli is the site of recovery digs undertaken over the past few years by the XXV Ephorate of Classical and Pre-Historic antiquities. Sections of the ancient city of Lappa, dating from the Geometric to the Roman Eras have been discovered at various spread-out locations. However, most of the findings date from the Hellenistic and Early Roman years, testament to how the city flourished in those particular periods. Historical literary sources indicate that Lappa was one of the most important cities in Western Crete, that flourished during the time of the Romans. Destroyed by Metellus in 68 B.C. it was nevertheless rebuilt in 31 B.C. and the new city was much improved, having baths and its own coins. An extensive Roman cemetery was discovered a few years ago.

Stavromenos

A major archaeological site extends through the general area of Hamalevri / Pangalochori / Stavromenos and Sfakaki. As far back as 1745, British traveller R. Pococke considered that the position matched that of Pantomatrion. In 1918 the curator of the Rethymno Museum, Eust. Petroulakis, carried out an trial dig at Palaiokastro. In December of the same year antiquarian Emm. Kaounis discovered an exceptional marble tomb stele dating from the 5th century B.C. and bearing the likeness of a young hunter. Over the following years chance finds in the region were common.

Ithmopyxis from a grave at Pangalochori.

Starting in 1990 systematic and preservation excavations have been carried out by the XXV Ephorate of Pre-Historic and Classical Antiquities, which have brought to light extensive building complexes that that were parts of the city and workshops. The highest building density is located on two hills Tsikouriana and Kakavella, lying exactly south of Stavromenos. There is a model information centre in the Sfakaki area, where visitors can gain a clear idea of the excavations and the findings brought to light.

Axos

Bronze helmet from Axos

The ancient city of Oaxos, one of the major cities in Ancient Crete, which flourished from the Late Minoan and Geometric Eras up to the Roman era and even later, is located in the region of the modern-day village of Axos Archaeologists’ digs have brought to light a wealth of remains from the ancient city, including a Temple to Aphrodite, a Prytanaeum, graves and various architectural remnants.

The acropolis wall must also have been impressive as segments of the walls are visible to this day along the hilltop. Excavations have brought to light various finds, including Minoan pottery shards, stone vessels, inscriptions, many statuettes showing a naked feminine form, which has been interpreted to be a fertility goddess. Also found were remnants of buildings dating from classical times, on which later buildings were then constructed, mainly Byzantine churches. The city continued to flourish in Roman and Byzantine times, during which, in fact, it was the seat of a bishopric and the site of many churches. At the position Livada, NE of the village, ruins have come to light of an Archaic settlement, which is indicative of the extent of ancient Axos. The significance of the city of Axos is also confirmed by the fact that it had its own coinage, and minted a variety of different coins. Approximately 40 different kinds of coins have been identified, some of which bear the head of Apollo or Zeus, in other words, gods who were worshipped in Ancient Oaxos.

Apodoulou

The ruins of an centre in the Old Palace stylewere brought to light at the position Tournes near the village of Apodoulou, located 54 km from Rethymno. The Apodoulou site must have been exceedingly important in antiquity, as it controlled the pass into the plain of Messara. Three building complexes were discovered there, as well as beehive or tholos tombs, one of which had a 7 m corridor leading to it and within it were found three sarcophagi.

Three-footed cooking pot from Apodoulou

Sivrytos

The ruins of the ancient city of Sivrytos were discovered through archaeological excavations at the modern day village of Thronos 33 kilometres SE of Rethymno, at the position Kefala.

Archaeological Museum of Rethymno

The Archaeological Museum of Rethymno was founded in 1887 by the Rethymno Educational Association, and is now housed in the pentagon-shaped tower just in front of the central / eastern gate of the Fortezza. The building was one of the defensive works built by the Turks, placed there in order to cover the defensive requirements of the fortress entrance.

The museum has placed its archaeological artefacts in archaeological order, and these include the following collections:

1. Late Neolithic and Early Minoan finds, mainly vessels, tools and statuettes from the caves at Gerani and Melidoni.
2. Artefacts from the Middle Minoan Period from the archaeological sites at Monasteraki, Apodoulou and Vryssina. The most impressive of these is a group of seal imprints from Monasteraki as well as a model of a house from the same site.
3. Artefacts from the Late Minoan period, mainly from the cemetery at Armeni, but also from areas including Mastamba, Stavromenos, Pangalochori, Syvritos. These artefacts include bronze tools and weapons, an impressive boar-tusk covered helmet, and a wealth of pottery, jewellery and seal stones. There are also clay figurines, including the renowned goddess with the raised arms from Pangalochori. There are also impressive earthenware larnakes (closed boxes used for human remains) decorated with plant and geometric motifs, mainly from the cemetery at Armeni.
4. Finds from the Geometric / Archaic Periods mainly from the archaeological sites at Axos and Eleftherna.
5. Objects from Classical, Hellenistic and Roman times, mainly from the regions of Stavromenos and Argyroupoli. The painted Roman lamps stand out in this group, as does the gold jewellery from the Stavromenos region and the glass vessels from the Hellenistic and Roman Eras.
6. Coin collection.
7. Figurines from Melidoni and Axos, as well as classical and Hellenistic vases of unknown origin.
8. Inscriptions from the Eleftherna region and
9. A collection of sculpture from the regions of Stavromenos, Eleftherna and Argyroupoli.

Historical and Folk Museum

The Historical and Folk Museum of Rethymno was established in 1973 with the aim of gathering and researching folklore material in Rethymno. Since 1995 it has been housed in a conservation grade listed Venetian town house dating from the 17th century, at 28-30 Vernardou Street. The two-storey building with the interior courtyard has impressive architectural detailing. The Museum collections were gathered from donations and purchases and include woven textiles and tools of the weaver’s trade; embroidery; lace; ceramics; baskets; metal work; coins; traditional dress; historical heirlooms and much more. One room is devoted to traditional crops and the preparation process for making traditional Rethymno bread, and there is also a room on traditional skills and trades. Objects are exhibited in groups with explanatory texts (in Greek and English), photographs, drawings, in accordance with the requirements of current museum curating.

"L. Kanakakis" Municipal Gallery

The "L. Kanakakis" Municipal Gallery was founded in 1992. From the beginning it was housed in a Venetian building, in the heart of the historic old town of Rethymno, below the Fortezza and the Archaeological Museum. (5 Heimaras St.).

The Permanent Collection contains works by Lefteris Kanakakis (oil paintings, drawings and watercolours), with representative examples from his entire oeuvre, as well as works by contemporary Greek artists, covering a wide range of Greek contemporary art from 1950 to the present day.

In 1995 Rethymno became part of the National Cultural City Network, which led to the establishment of the Rethymno Centre for Contemporary Art, which focused the Gallery’s activities on contemporary art. The Rethymno Centre for Contemporary Art has been particularly active in putting together periodic exhibitions of local, national as well as international interest, in collaboration with many bodies in Greece and abroad. Each of these is supplemented with connected events taking place in parallel (lectures, educational programmes, talks, seminars etc.). The exhibition activities at the R.C.C.A. – "L. Kanakakis" Municipal Gallery are supplemented by catalogues published and other documents which are educational or informative in nature. Since 1995 art workshops run under the auspices of the R.C.C.A.

Other Rethymno Museums

The Frantzeskaki Collection

The collection of Eleni Frantzeskaki, housed in a building on Heimara Street, opposite the "L. Kanakakis" Gallery, includes traditional handicrafts, such as weavings, embroidery and lace.

Museum of Marine Life

Located in the old town and housed in the old abbey building, this was recently renovated and houses one of the most important collections in Rethymno. It includes molluscs, sponges, fish and some fossils.

Ecclesiastical Museum

Founded in 1994 it is located on Mitropoleos Square. It includes ecclesiastical heirlooms dating from 1816 forward, including ecclesiastical vessels, icons, bells, as well as the bell-tower clock, which was in use from 1894 to 1986.

Venetian Monuments

The Rethymno Loggia

The Loggia, where the nobility convened to discuss political and financial issues, was an illustrious building in the city centre. Built in the sixteenth century, it was designed by prominent Venetian architect Michele Sanmicheli. The building, which is very well preserved, is built on a square ground plan and three of its sides are vaulted (the western side is not). Built from regular sized stones, it has impressive cornicing. To begin with the building was designed to be open with a four-sided roof, but this is no longer the case.

The Rimondi fountain

Renaissance events held at the Rimondi fountain

The famous Rimondi fountain, located in the present day Platanos Square, in what was once the centre of the Venetian town, was constructed in 1626 by A. Rimondi, rector of the city. Water runs from three water spouts shaped as lions' heads into three basins. Four fluted columns with Corinthian capitals "stand" on the basins.

Above this there is an entablature, the middle section of which contains four projections exactly above the columns, shaped as acanthus leaves. That very section contains inscriptions which reads: LIBERALITATIS and FONTES.

Aghios Franghiskos (Saint Francis)

This church once served a monastery of Franciscan Monks. As well as the church, there are two chapels, situated east of the church which are also preserved. The door casing contains a complex and impressive architrave with a variety of capitals.

The Neratzes Mosque

The Neratzes mosque, now used as a Music Conservatory, was the Church of the Augustinian Priory of the Holy Virgin. In 1657 this was converted into a mosque, the Ghazi Hussein or Neratze mosque and in 1890 a large minaret with two balcony galleries was added, built of the famous stones from the village of Alfa. The chapel of the Virgin Mary, located to the west of this, was dedicated to Corpus Christi but then was converted into a madrassa or an Islamic religious seminary. The most important elements on this building are the door casings and its three domes.

The fountain of Roussospiti

The village of Roussospiti is located 10 km. from Rethymno, and contains many Venetian buildings, along with a wonderful fountain dating from the seventeenth century. Gerola called the fountain “graceful” and one can see that he was not wrong to do so. It is formed as a semi-circular niche, on either side of which is situated a pair of small columns holding up the architrave. The water spout is in the form of a lion’s head.

Churches

Early Christian Basilica of Panormos

The ruins of the largest Early Christian church in Crete were excavated in 1948, southwest of the village of Panormos, located 30 km to the east of Rethymno. This was a fifth century A.D. wood-roofed basilica, dedicated to Aghia Sofia (the Holy Wisdom).

Early Christian Basilica of Vyzari

Located 2 km west of the present day village of Vyzari, which is 41 km from Rethymno, this is a 7th century basilica with a central nave with an aisle on either side, was destroyed during an Arab raid in 824 AD.

Early Christian Basilica of Goulediana

This Early Christian basilica with a central nave with an aisle on either side, richly decorated with mosaics, was discovered at Onythe, southeast of the village of Goulediana, located 18 km from Rethymno. It dates back to the 6th or 7th century A.D.

Early Christian Basilica of Ancient Eleftherna

Located at the position Katsivelos, this is part of the archaeological site of Ancient Eleftherna. There is a basilica with a central nave with an aisle on either side and a wealth of mosaic decoration dating back to the 6th or 7th century.

Aghios Ioannis at Gerakari in the district of Amari

Outside the village of Gerakari, located 41 km from Rethymno, is the church of Aghios Ioannis Theologos (Saint John the Theologian), which dates back to the 13th century. It is a church with a simple nave and a tile roof. The domed narthex was added later. The church walls are decorated in a particularly interesting manner.

Aghios Dimitrios in the village of the same name

The village of Aghios Dimitrios, located 10km to the east of Rethymno, along the road leading from Rethymno to Arkadi, is the site of a church, dedicated to Saint Demetrius and built in a cross-in-a-square cruciform style with a cupola, dating back to the 11th century A.D.

Panaghia in Roustica

The village of Roustika, 21 km. from Rethymno, has a two-aisled church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Christ the Saviour, at located Livadi. The church walls are covered with frescoes which date from 1381. The belfry has an inscription with the date 1627.

Kera Panaghia at Nevs Amari

In the general region of Nevs Amari is church of Kera Panaghia, which is a basilica with a nave and two aisles, built on the site of a previous 13th century domed cruciform church. The southern aisle with its impressive door frame and the crest of the Kallergis family was obviously built later, probably in the 15th century A.D.

Panaghia in Lambini

The village of Lambini lies 27 km from Rethymno along the road to Spili. Located here is a church to the Virgin Mary, a domed cruciform cross-in-square church, with 12th and 14th century AD wall paintings. This was in fact a bishop's seat, as Lambini was the seat of the Lampis bishopric, in existence since 431 A.D.

Aghios Evtychios in Chromonasteri

At Perdiki Metohi, in the region of the village of Chromonasteri, located 12 km from Rethymno, lies a single aisle domed cruciform cross-in-square church dedicated to Saint Evtychios. Dating from the 11th century A.D., its walls are covered with frescoes.

Panaghia at Thronos

Within the village of Thronos in the district of Amari is the 14th century AD church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, which was built over a 6th century Early Christian basilica. Its wall paintings date from two different periods.

Arkadi Monastery

On the north-western foothills of Mount Psiloritis, at an altitude of 500 metres and some 23 kilometres from the city of Rethymno, lies the Sacred Monastery of Arkadi. According to tradition the foundations for the Sacred Monastery of Arkadi were laid by the Byzantine Emperor Heraklios, and it was built by the Emperor Arcadius in the 5th century A.D., who gave his name to the monastery. However, the facts of the case surrounding both the establishment of the monastery and the manner in which it got its name appear to indicate that a monk name Arkadios was involved. Inscriptions indicated that the church with two naves at the centre of the monastery was erected in 1587 and was dedicated to Saint Constantine and to the Transfiguration of the Saviour. This is not the original church, but the result of renovations carried out on a previous church, which according to an inscription was built in the 14th century.

The church is situated at the centre of the monastery’s square layout, surrounded by the monks’ cells and auxiliary areas. The Arkadi Monastery serves as a symbol of sacrifice and the fight for liberty for Greeks due to an event that took place during the 1866-1869 revolution, when besieged Cretans voluntarily sacrificed themselves rather than surrendering to the Turks. Kostis Yiampoudakis from the village of Adele did not hesitate to set fire to the gunpowder store, where the besieged were gathered, causing an explosion that blew up the entire Monastery, making it a symbol of bravery and liberty for all time. The Sacred standard of the revolution, as well as other relics from the monastery, including ecclesiastical vessels, gold-embroidered vestments and guns are preserved at the Monastery museum.

Monastery of Arsani

The Monastery of Arsani is located 12 km. east of Rethymno. It was probably founded during the years of the Venetian Conquest, by a monk called Arsenios, who gave his name to the monastery. Another version holds that the name was provided by a woman called Arsinoe, who gave her fortune to fund the building of the monastery. The domed cruciform church viewed by visitors today was built in 1888 and is dedicated to Aghios Georgios (Saint George). This is the second church in a row to be built on the site of an older church, which was built in 1600. The monastery was renovated in 1970 and the church wall painting was carried out in 1988/89. There is a museum and a convention centre.

Bali Monastery

Positioned on a rise with a panoramic view over the bay and the coastal settlement of Bali, which is located 37 km from Rethymno. This is also known as the Monastery of Atali, from the Venetian name for the coastal village which was derived from a perversion of the name of the ancient city of Astali. Inscriptions indicate that the monastery was constructed in the 17th century, without this meaning that an older monastery did not exist in this location. The monastery sanctuary is dedicated to Saint John, and has an impressive façade which contains several elements of renaissance architecture. The Monastery of Atali, due to its position and its proximity to the Bay of Bali, played a major role in the 1821 Revolution. It was later deserted and only began to come to life again after 1982, when it was also renovated.

The Convent of Aghia Eirini

This is located near the settlement of the same name, a few kilometres south of the city of Rethymno, on the road to Roussospiti. A very old monastery, it probably came into existence in the 14th century. However, at some point it was destroyed and was then completely abandoned and deserted. Renovation work commenced in 1989 and the nuns have been very active in brining it back to life. The convent also functions nowadays as the nucleus for protecting and preserving Greek folk traditions in handicrafts and particularly weaving and embroidery and there is an exhibition of the needlework produced by the nuns themselves.

The Monastery of Halevi

Located near the village of Chromonastiri, approximately 12 km distant from Rethymno. The large church with a single nave dedicated to the Virgin Mary has a lintel with 1864 inscribed on it. The monastery however was already in existence from the 16th or the 17th century. All the remaining buildings of the monastery, except for the church are deserted and the monastery itself is empty. In 1991 it was annexed by the Convent of Aghia Eirini.

Preveli Monastery

Preveli Monastery, located 37 km. from Rethymno includes two monasteries, which are 3 km distant from each other. the "Kato Moni" or Lower Monastery is deserted and the "Pisso Monasteri", which continues to be active and can be visited. According to tradition the name of the monastery was provided after the 17th century, either by an inhabitant of the village of Preveliana in the region of Herakleion, who fled after murdering someone and sought refuge in this area, or it must have been the name of a person who renovated the Monastery.

The central enclosure of the Monastery is dominated by a double-nave church dedicated to Saint John the Theologian to the Annunciation. To the West and South are the cells and the abbot’s residence. The church is modern and was built over an older Byzantine church. At a lower level is a fountain with the date 1701 inscribed upon it, and the Monastery Museum, which contains ecclesiastical vestments and icons.

The Monastery of Vossakou

Located approximately 50 km to the east of Rethymno, along the old national road linking Rethymno and Herakleion, with a deviation north of the village Doxaro. The monastery is dedicated to the True Cross. The inscription at the church entrance states that it was built in 1195 but twice destroyed. The current church is modern, built at the end of the 19th century. The monastery is built on a rectangular ground plan with buildings rising around a central courtyard which contains the church. Twice destroyed by the Turks, in 1646 and 1821, during the 1950s it became completely deserted. Over the last few years the Monastery has come back to life, with monks living there and serious attempts made to renovate and refurbish it.