In the Prefecture of Rethymno, as evidenced by the findings and the inscriptions, there seems to have been presence from the Neolithic Age. Over the centuries, the area of Rethymno has had times of flourishing and bequeathed to the newest important cultural monuments. The real renaissance for Rethymno, though, came during the Venetian domination. Today a visit to the Fortezza or the museums of the town will make you travel back to the picturesque Prefecture of Rethymno.
Places of Interest
Municipal Garden
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Distance 400 m
The Municipal Garden lies in the center of Rethymno close to Guora Gate. Access in the garden is free and is an excellent location to relax, under the shadow of its high trees, after a long walk in the old town. The garden has many local plants and exotic trees. The municipal garden also hosts the famous Wine festival in August, where visitors meet with Cretan winery, Cretan flavors and local dances. It is also an ideal location for families, where kids can enjoy the large playground.
Agnostou Stratioti Square
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Distance 1 km
Agnostou Stratioti Square is located at the east entry to the old town. The statue of the square is dedicated to the “Unknown Soldier”, which is also the name of the square. This square is like the starting point of any visitor, since it connects the sandy beach of the city with the old town and the coastal road with all bars and restaurants.
Museums
Paleontological Museum
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Address Satha & Markellou Str
Phone +302831023083
Email [email protected]
It is housed in the Veli Pasha Mosque or Mastaba Mosque and operates as part of the Goulandris Natural History Museum in Crete.. The Museum exhibition offers visitors various brief stops along the history of Crete in the past 300,000,000 years. Fossils of invertebrates from Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic sea deposits in Crete, along with texts, drawings, maps and information inform visitors about the geological treasures of Crete. In the museum are shown bones of Pleistocenic native elephants which are of special interest, as well as material regarding the deers in Crete.
Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon
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Address 4, Agiou Fragiskou Str
Phone +30 28310 27506
It is located at the center of Rethymno’s historic center in Saint Francis Church. It hosts findings from the Neolithic Age to the era of Roman rule. The collections include findings from caves, settlements, and cemeteries of the Minoan Era, as well as objects from the Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman eras brought to light by archaeologists during excavations in ancient cities. Some of the most important exhibits that you must see are the helmet which is covered in boar teeth and the reliquaries from the post-Minoan era cemetery of Armeni, the statue of Aphrodite from Argiroupoli, the seals and collections of gold jewelry and coins, including some of the oldest navigation instruments.
The Fortezza of Rethymnon
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Phone +3028310 28101
This Venetian castle is until this day a trademark of Rethymno and for years it has been hosting plays, music and dance events, but also painting exhibitions, conferences and film shows. The castle is uninhabited and the most important buildings in it are constantly renovated. Take the chance to make a walk in the castle and enjoy the panoramic view of Rethymno from above and of the deep blue Cretan sea.
History and Folk Art Museum of Rethymnon
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Address 28, M. Vernadou Str
Phone +3028310 23398
The museum is housed in a Venetian building of the 17th Century, which has been characterized as a protected monument by the Ministry of Culture. You will see beautiful collections of traditional handicrafts and textiles, baskets, ceramics, historic heirlooms, documents, photographs, banners, maps, arms, coins, as well as interesting architectural elements like the stone staircase in the courtyard, the hall with the two rows of Venetian windows and the kitchen with the chimney.
Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete
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Address Mesologiou 32
Phone +30 28310 52530
Email [email protected]
Website https://www.cca.gr/
It is based in the heart of the old historic town, under the Venetian wall and the Fortezza castle.
In 1992 the “L. Kanakakis” Municipal Gallery was established in an old Venetian building dating back to the early 20th century, in which one of the first industrial sites in Crete operated as a soap factory until the 1970s.
Today, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete - Municipal Art Gallery “L. Kanakakis” continues its meaningful course for 27 years, presenting part of the Permanent Collection's works, periodic international and national exhibitions, programs and collaborations with relevant organizations in Greece and abroad.
After several renovations, it constitutes today a modern, high-quality museum space of approximately 1000 m2.
It has a permanent collection of approximately 700 works of contemporary Greek artists, which covers a wide range of the contemporary Greek art world from 1950 to date. The works of L. Kanakakis (approx. 50) were donated to the Gallery.