Present-day Rethymnon is built on the
site of ancient Rithymna, as the finds of a
cemetery of the Late Minoan period, discovered in the Mastaba quarter, show.
The town nourished during Mycenean
times. In the 3rd century AD, for some
unknown reason, it lost its importance,
and is only mentioned as a large village.
However, Rithymna retained its autonomy and independence, as is evidenced by the coins which, as a free city, it continued to mint. During the Byzantine period the town continued to be inhabited, and parts of Roman and Byzantine mosaics have been found.

The Venetian period, also, was a time of
great prosperity for Rithymna, as the
Venetians used its harbour as an intermediate stop between Herakleion and Chania, and as an administrative centre for the area.

Thus, Rithymna developed into one of the
three most important towns in Crete. It
retained its Greek character more than
the other two large towns, even though it
did come under Venetian influence, and it
attracted several Cretans of noble
descent. In its capacity as the most
important centre in the region, it became
the seat of the "Rettore" - the Venetian
governor.
Rethymnon suffered raids, fires and
plunder by the terrible Khair-ed-Din
Barbarossa and other pirates, and was
finally taken by the Turks in 1646.
The Venetians and Greeks entrenched
themselves in the Fortezza, but after a
siege of 22 days, they were forced to
surrender.

During the period of Ottoman rule,
Rethymnon fell into decline as, besides,
did the other towns. During the difficult
years of the struggle for independence,
its inhabitants were actively involved
and, as a result, many of its freedom-
fighters were executed.

In 1897, the Russian army took
Rethymnon and held it until 1909. In
1913, it became part of Greece, together
with the rest of Crete. During the German
occupation,the Rethymniots took an active
part in the resistance against fascism.

Rethymnon is the capital of the prefec-
ture of the same name. It lies between
the other two large towns - Herakleion to the east (at a distance of 80 kms.) and Chania to the west (at a distance of 60 kms.).

Rethymnon is a blend of modernity and
old-time dignity and charm. It has a
population of about 20,000 inhabitants,
and is the administrative and commercial centre of the prefecture, as well as a
communications centre. It is well provided with tourist facilities and prides itself on its cultural activity and its significant presence in the general cultural life of the island, much of which is centred around the Faculty of Letters of the University of Crete, established here.

Artistic events are regularly organized, as are exhibitions, plays, concerts and lectures.
Rethymnon is linked by bus with the main towns and villages of the prefecture and also with Herakleion and Chania. There is also a regular year-round boat service linking Rethymnon with the port of Piraeus, but the town also makes use of the nearby port of Souda. Rethymnon has no airport, but it does have regular connections with the Chania airport.

Among the worthwhile sights, the
following, in particular, should be
mentioned:

The Fortress or "Fortezza."
This was built on the Palaeokastro hill by
the Venetians, between 1573 and 1580,
in order to strengthen the defences of
the harbour, which was so important to
them. It had strong walls and four
bastions. Inside the fortress there were
public buildings, barracks, storerooms
for ammunition and an army hospital.
Today, the only surviving parts are the
reconstructed walls, the cisterns and a
mosque with a large dome, which was
initially a church dedicated to Saint Ni-
cholas. The Fortezza fell into the hands
of the Turks in 1646.

The Loggia.
The Loggia of Rethymnon cannot compare in grandeur with that of Herakleion. It is a handsome square Venetian building dating from the end of the 16th or the beginning of the 17th century. It has three semi-circular arches on three of its sides, while the southern side has no opening. The Loggia was used as a place of meeting and recreation for the nobility during the Venetian period. When the Turks took over the town, they turned the Loggia into a mosque and built a minaret on its western side.

The Rimondi Fountain.
This is an interesting Venetian monument with which the "Rettore" ofRethymnon, Rimondi, endowed the town in 1629. It
has four elegant columns with elaborate capitals, which hold up an epistyle with a Latin inscription on it. Between the two interior columns are carved the armorial bearings of the Rimondi family. The fountain is adorned with three heads, from the mouths of which the water flows.

The Church of Saint Francis:
interesting architecture and sculptured decoration.

The Turkish School:
it is situated next to the church of Saint Francis. An inscription on one of its entrances indicates that it was built in 1796.

The Church of Our Lady of the Angels (Mikri Panaghia):
this is a Roman Catholic church in the Old Town. It was built during the last years of Venetian rule. The Cathedral of the Presentation of the Holy Virgin to the Temple. The Bishop's Palace: This is a neoclassical building situated on the south side of the cathedral.

The Prefecture:
this is a two-storey neo-classical building in Heroon Polytechniou square.

The Mosques:
Neran tzes (once the Roman Catholic church of Santa Maria), Kara Mousa Pasha (formerly the Venetian monastery of Aghia Varvara, it now houses the Ephoreia of Byzantine Antiquities), the mosque of the Megali Porta, and finally, Beli Pasha in the
Mastabas quarter.

Also worth noticing are many facades
of Venetian houses in the Old Town.

Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon
(tel. no. 0831/29975)
It contains most important finds. Among
them: figurines, jewellery, tools,
spearheads of Neolithic times from the
Gerani cave and the Ellenes Amariou cave.

It also includes ceramics of the Late
Minoan period from Mastabas in
Rethymnon and from the cemetery at
Armeni, also sealstones, jewellery,
sarcophagi, goddesses in worshipping
stance, from various excavated sites in
the prefecture.

A small Egyptian collection, red-figured
vessels, Hellenistic and Roman statues
are also exhibited, as is an important
collection of coins of various periods and
regions.

Historical and Folk Art Museum of
Rethymnon (tel. 23.667).
It houses a collection of handwoven
items, paintings, as well as various folk
art exhibits.

Folk Art Collection of the Lyceum Club
of Greek Women (tel. no.29.572).
Here are exhibited collections of local
costumes and jewellery. Also included is a
large number of embroidered work and
handwoven articles, as well as woodwork
and pottery.