Book your stay in Rethymno
Booking.com

Rethymno - Culture

The prefecture of Rethymno and culture are two concepts completely intertwined. The elements of the local culture are present not only in the best preserved Renaissance town in Greece, Rethymno, but also in the whole region, from Psiloritis to the north and south coasts. Each conquest of the island had great architectural influence adding multicultural style, which make Rethymno the most attractive destination in whole Greece.

Through the city buildings, such as the Lotzia, and the archaeological sites of the prefecture, with the Fortezza Fortress and Ancient Eleftherna as most significant of them, we can see the culmination of the Minoan culture. The Venetian architecture is mixed with Ottoman opulence and magnificence and both of them unite harmonically with rich Cretan tradition. This combination can be found displayed in many important museums of the prefecture, such as Archaeological Museum of Rethymno and many more. When talking about modern development and structures, it is important to mention the Observatory of Skinakas, one of the world’s best modern buildings, that adorns the homonymous top. The Observatory studies the stars on the sacred mountain, named Psiloritis, where Zeus was raised.

In the important cultural figures, we should include also the churches and monasteries which are scattered from the highest peaks, such as the Timios Stauros (Holy Cross), to the seaside resorts. The churches and monasteries were used as fortresses at the time of the Revolution and supported the Cretans, who were thirsty for freedom and effortlessly shed their blood in her name.

Fountains and squares are also notable cultural attractions of Rethymno, the city of education and great minds that "gave birth" to Erotokritos.

Modern tradition had played a certain part in great, thousands of years old, culture, by honoring it through today’s celebrations, such as the Renaissance Festival of Rethymno, the Yakinthia the Rethymno Carnival or the Treasure Hunt. Through these festivities the guests of Rethymno have the opportunity to learn more about the past of the city.

  • Ancient Eleftherna

    Ancient Eleftherna in the prefecture of Rethymno is an archaeological site located about 25 km to the southeast of Rethymno, between Arkadi and Margarites.

  • Collection of Eleni Frantzeskaki

    The Collection of Eleni Frantzeskaki in Rethymno prefecture is housed in a building on the Chimara Street in the city of Rethymno.

  • Poliou House

    The Poliou House is a folklore museum located in the village Asteri in Rethymno prefecture , 13 km approximately west of Rethymno .

  • Paleontological Museum of Rethymno

    The Paleontological Museum of Rethymno is located in Rethymno prefecture in the city of Rethymno,operating since 2009 inside the restored Veli Pasha Mosque.

  • Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete

    The Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete in Rethymno is located in the center of Old Town, near the Venetian wall and the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno.

  • Wax Figures Museum in Zoniana

    The Wax Figures Museum in Zoniana is located in the central square of Zoniana in Rethymno prefecture, just 50 kilometers east of the city of Rethymno.

  • Marine Life Museum

    The Marine Life Museum of Rethymno prefecture is located in the center of the Old Town of Rethymno, housed in a beautiful two-storey house.

  • Olive Museum in Kapsaliana

    The Olive Museum in Kapsaliana is located in the homonymous village of Rethymno prefecture, about 18 kilometers southeast of the city of Rethymno.

  • Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymno

    As the Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymno we now call the 17th century Venetian manor in the Old Town of Rethymno on the Vernardou Street.

  • Ecclesiastical Museum of Rethymno

    The Ecclesiastical Museum of Rethymno, founded in 1994, is located in the city of Rethymno at Metropolis Square opposite the Cathedral

  • Ecclesiastical Museum of Preveli Monastery.

    The Ecclesiastical Museum of Preveli Monastery is located inside the homonymous monastery in Rethymno prefecture and, particularly, in the Rear monastery.

  • Archaeological museum of Rethymno

    The Archaeological museum of Rethymno in the homonymous city is near the entrance to Fortezza Fortress in a building dating to the Ottoman rule period.

  • Archaeological museum of Ancient Eleftherna

    The Archaeological Museum of Ancient Eleftherna in Rethymno prefecture lies at the archaeological site of Ancient Eleftherna, 25 km southeast of Rethymno

  • Ibrahim Khan Mosque

    The Ibrahim Khan Mosque is a site in the city of Rethymno, inside the Fortezza fortress, among other important buildings and next to the Episcopal Palace.

  • The Megali Porta Mosque (Mosque of the Great Door)

    The Megali Porta Mosque in Rethymno is located next to the Megali porta (or Great Gate) on the Tompazis street.

  • Neratze Mosque

    The Neratze Mosque is a building in the Old Town of Rethymno on Titos Petychakis square and is one of the most important monuments of the city.

  • Mosque of Kara Mousa Pasha

    The Mosque of Kara Mousa Pasha in Rethymno prefecture is a building in the Old Town of Rethymno at the junction of Arkadi and Hugo Streets.

  • Λότζια

    Η Λότζια είναι ένα μεγαλοπρεπές τετράγωνο κτίριο στην παλιά πόλη  του Ρεθύμνου, στη συμβολή των οδών Αρκαδίου και Κ. Παλαιολόγου. Η Λότζια οικοδομήθηκε τον 16o αιώνα με σχέδια του διάσημου βενετού αρχιτέκτονα Michel Sanmicheli και αποτελούσε ενετική λέσχη, χώρο συγκέντρωσης και συσκέψεων των ευγενών για να συζητήσουν ζητήματα σχετικά με το εμπόριο, πολιτικά και οικονομικά θέματα. Λειτουργούσε ταυτόχρονα και ως χώρος αναψυχής και χώρος που επιτρέπονταν τα τυχερά παιχνίδια. Το αρχικό σχέδιο της Λότζιας παραμένει ανέπαφο με μόνη αλλαγή την προσθήκη ενός ακόμα ορόφου το 1625. Αν και δημιουργήθηκε στα πρότυπα της Βενετίας και του Ηρακλείου, η Λότζια του Ρεθύμνου θεωρείται ότι υστερεί σε μεγαλοπρέπεια. Σήμερα, το κτίριο διατηρείται σε πάρα πολύ καλή κατάσταση, είναι τετραγωνικής κάτοψης με αψίδες στις τρεις προσόψεις του (εκτός της δυτικής).

  • House of the Councils

    The House of the Councils is located inside the Fortezza Fortress in the city of Rethymno and, particularly, on the Agias Ioustinis Street

  • Observatory of Skinakas

    The Observatory of Skinakas in Rethymno prefecture is located upon the homonymous peak of the Mt Psiloritis , built at an altitude of 1.750 meters.

  • Warehouse of the Artillery

    The Warehouse of the Artillery is located inside the Fortezza Fortress in Rethymno prefecture and is the first building after the eastern entrance to the Fortress.

  • Chalepa monastery

    The Chalepa monastery in Rethymno prefecture is located near the villages Tsachiana and Veni, 46 km east of Rethymno, built on a hill with magnificent view

  • Chalevi (Halevi) monastery

    The Chalevi (Halevi) monastery in Rethymno prefecture is located about 12 south of Rethymno, on the way to Chromonastiri and Poussospiti .

  • Monastery of Timiou Stavrou Vosakou (Monastery of Holy Cross in Vosakos)

    The monastery of Timiou Stavrou Vosakou in Rethymno prefecture is located near Doxaros and 50 kilometers east of the town of Rethymno

  • Sotiros and Agiou Gedeon monastery (Christ Savior and Saint Gedeon Monastery)

    Sotiros and Agiou Gedeon monastery in Rethymno prefecture is located in Margarites, 30 km approximately south of Rethymno

  • Preveli Monastery

    The Preveli monastery is located about 40 km south of Rethymno and is one of the most famous monasteries of Rethymno prefecture

  • Attali monastery

    The Attali Monastery in Rethymno prefecture is located in Bali, close to Rethymno-Heraklion highway, on the hill Agia Ipakoi and opposite the hill Pachoumi.

  • Asomaton Monastery

    The Asomaton monastery in Rethymno prefecture is located near Amari, 37 kilometers southeast of Rethymno

  • Arsaniou monastery

    The Arsaniou monastery in Rethymno prefecture is located near Pangalochori, 11 kilometers east of Rethymno and was founded in 16th century

  • Arkadi Monastery

    The Arkadi Monastery in Rethymno prefecture is located 23 kilometers east of Rethymno and is the most sacred Cretan symbol for freedom.

  • Μονή Αγίου Ονουφρίου

    Η μονή Αγίου Ονουφρίου στο νομό Ρεθύμνου  βρίσκεται στο νότιο μέρος του χωριού Ακούμια , στην περιοχή Γιαλιάς του όρους Ασιδέρωτας.

  • Monastery of Agios Antonios in Veni (Saint Anthony monastery in Veni)

    The monastery of Agios Antonios in Veni in Rethymno prefecture is located on the top of the hill Veni, near the village Voliones .

  • Agia Marina monastery

    The Agia Marina monastery in Rethymno prefecture was very close to the Chalepa monastery 46km east of Rethymno .

  • Monastery of Agia Irini

    The Monastery of Agia Irini in Rethymno prefecture, one of the oldest monasteries on Crete, is located near the homonymous village, 5 km south of Rethymno.

  • Μεγάλη Παναγία

    Η Μεγάλη Παναγία στο νομό Ρεθύμνου  είναι μια εκκλησία μέσα στην παλιά πόλη του Ρεθύμνου, στη συμβολή των οδών Εμμ. Τομπάζη και Πέτρου Μανουσάκη.

  • Kyria ton Angelon (Our Lady of the Angels)

    Kyria ton Angelon in Rethymno prefecture is the oldest operating church in the city of Rethymno in the Old Town and, particularly, on Nikiforou Foka street

  • Tessaron Martyron church

    Tessaron Martyron (Four Martyrs) in Rethymno prefecture is a church in the capital of the prefecture, east of Tessaron Martyron Square outside the Old Town.

  • Άγιος Φραγκίσκος

    Ο Άγιος Φραγκίσκος στο νομό Ρεθύμνου  είναι μια εκκλησία μέσα στο Ρέθυμνο, αποτελώντας ένα από τα πιο σημαντικά μνημεία της πόλης.

  • Agios Frangiskos (Saint Fransis Church)

    Agios Frangiskos (Saint Fransis Church) in Rethymno prefecture is a church in the city of Rethymno and one of the most important monuments of the city.

  • Monastery of Christ the Savior Koumpe (monastery of Sotira Christou Koumpe)

    The Monastery of Christ the Savior Koumpe in Rethymno prefecture is located on the western side of the hill, above the water spring in the area of Koumpe.

  • Monastery of Agios Nektarios of Anogeia (Saint Nektarios from Anogeia)

    The Monastery of Agios Nektarios of Anogeia in Rethymno prefecture is located in Anogeia, 52 km approximately far from Rethymno offering a panoramic view.

  • Fortezza fortress

    The Fortezza fortress is an archaeological site in the prefecture of Rethymno built upon the hill of Paleokastro, on the west side of the today’s city

  • Late-Minoan Necropolis of Armeni

    The Late-Minoan Necropolis of Armeni in Rethymno prefecture is an archaeological site located 9 kilometers to the south of the city of Rethymno.

  • Minoan Settlement of Apodoulos

    The Minoan Settlement of Apodoulos in Rethymno prefecture is an archaeological site near the village of Apodoulos located 54 km far from Rethymno.

  • Cavalier of Agios Loukas

    The cavalier of Agios Loukas is located in Rethymno , southwest of Fortezza Fortress , at the bastion of Agios Loukas.

  • Archaeological site of Monastiraki

    The archaeological site of Monastiraki is located in the homonymous village in prefecture of Rethymno and 35 km far from the city of Rethymno .

  • Ancient Lappa

    Ancient Lappa is an archaeological site in the prefecture of Rethymno , built near Argyroupoli , 27 kilometers southwest of the city of Rethymno

  • Ancient Axos

    Ancient Axos is an archaeological site in the village of Axos in Rethymno prefecture, built at the root of Mt Psiloritis, 45 kilometers far from Rethymnon

  • Zominthos

    Zominthos is an archaeological site in the prefecture of Rethymno, located on Psiloritis at an altitude of 1,200 meters on your way to the Ideon Andron.

  • Lighthouse of Rethymno

    The lighthouse of Rethymno is one of the most important attractions of Rethymno County. It is located on the edge of the old wharf of the Venetian harbor

  • Titos Petychakis square

    The Titos Petychakis square (also called Platanos) in prefecture of Rethymno is located inside the Old Town, at K. Palaiologou Street.

  • Tessaron Martyron square

    Tessaron Martyron Square is the most central point of Rethymno, located shortly before the Megali Porta and the entrance to the Old Town.

  • Mikrasiaton Square

    The Mikrasiaton Square is located in the Old Town of Rethymno and it is the biggest square in the heart of the historical center

  • Mitropoleos square

    Mitropoleos Square in Rethymno prefecture is located in Rethymno and is the courtyard of the Megali Panagia, which the square was named after

  • Iroon Polytechneiou square

    Iroon Polytechneiou Square is a square in the prefecture of Rethymno, on the west side of the homonym city, in Sochora district.

  • Square of the Unknown Soldier

    The Square of the Unknown Soldier is in Rethymno, at Eth. Makariou Street and at the same place, where the gate of Ammou once was.

  • Old Town

    Built on a site of ancient Rithymna, the Old Town inside the Rethymno city is a gem itself and one of the Rethymno prefecture’s cultural attractions

  • Megali Porta (the Great Gate)

    Megali Porta, a name given by locals, is an attraction inside the Rethymno city located on Ethnikis Antistaseos Street and it’s the entrance to the Old Town

  • Erofili Theatre

    The Erofili Theatre in Rethymno prefecture is one of the most important cultural attractions in the city of Rethymno built in the 20th century.

  • Venetian port

    The Venetian port of Rethymno prefecture consists of the old port and the groyne with its lighthouse and is located in the Old Town of Rethymno

  • Municipal Garden of Rethymno

    The Municipal Garden of Rethymno is an attraction near the city center of Rethymno, at Tessaron Martyron Square

  • Statue of Kostis Giampoudakis

    The statue of Kostis Giampoudakis is a sight located in the Tessaron Martyron Square in Rethymno, close to the Megali Porta and the entrance to the old town

  • Statue of the Unknown Soldier

    The Statue of the Unknown Soldier is located in Rethymno, at the homonym square since 1930, where the Ammou Gate was during the Venetian rule.

  • Rimonti fountain

    The Rimonti fountain is an attraction in the center of the Old Town of Rethymno located at the Titou Petychaki Square in former center of the Venetian Town

Most Popular