One of four prefectures of Crete is Rethymno, just in between the prefectures
of Chania and Heraklion with the Cretan sea in the north and the Libyan sea
in the south. The city Rethymnos (about 30 000 inhabitants) central part is
built on the cape of the northern shore of the prefecture. The sandy beach
has a total length of 15 km. Along the beach you find the resorts Perivolia,
Platanes, Adele and Stavromenos and it´s easy to reach Rethymno by bus.
There are also excellent connections by bus to Chania and Heraklion.
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Places of interest in Rethymno
Besides from enjoying the city life, shopping and dining, don´t forget
to look out for some of the famous buildings that will tell you a great deal
of the towns history.
Fortezza Frourio. Built between 1573 and 1587 after the
Turks attack in 1571. In 1646 the turkish troops once again arrived under
the command of Hussein Pasha. After just 30 days the Governor of Rethymno
negotiated the capitulation of the city. You will find the Sultan Ibrahim
Mosque in the middle of the fortezza.
The Archaeological Museum is housed in front of the central gate of
the Fortezza. The findings are exhibited in archaelogical order from the Minoan,
Hellenic and Roman periods.
Historical and Folklore Museum (28-30 Vernardou street)
was founded in 1973. Great collection of folklore material, such as hand-woven
textiles, embroideries, ceramics, costumes and much more from the Rethymno-area.
Rimondi Fountain built in 1626 and situated at Platanos Square (Platia
Petychaki). In the shape of three lion´s head, the water runs into three
sinks.
Mosque Tis Nerantzes with it´s three domes and a large
minaret is situated just in the middle of the old town. Today it is used as
a music school named Odeion.
Mosque Kara Muza Pascha at the corner of Arkadiou and Viktorus
Ougo was by the Turks turned into a mosque. Around the temple you will find
many Turkish gravestones, "mezaria".
Platia Tesseron Martiron close by the municipal garden.
Here you find the new church and a statue of Kostis Giamboudakis (he became
a symbol of self-sacrifice and freedom during the revolution 1866-1869).
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Around Rethymno
Monastery of Arkadi situated 24 km southeast of Rethymno
and named after the monk Arkadios.
Agia Galini a popular resort 58 km south of Rethymno.
Anogia, Zoniana, Livadia and Margarites in the province of Mylopotamos
where you find the traditional art crocheting, weaving and embroidering.
The Marathi caves Daily with Dolphin
Cruises from the Venetian harbour. Information and reservations: +30 28310
57666.
One day cruise to Santorini with
United Cruises. Departures every Thursday and Saturday at 7.30 am.
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Festivals
The Renaissance festival since 1987. During the festival
many performances are held at the Erofili theater on the Fortezza.
The treasure hunt a one day game about the history of Rethymno.
It takes place two weeks before the carnival.
The carnival in Rethymno since 1915, the biggest carnival
on the island of Crete and the carnival has been every year since 1959. The
carnivals day is alvays 50 days before Easter Day and it will be 9 March 2008.
Easter Day is 27 April.
The wine festival every summer in July. Visitors are given
the opportunity to try almost all the varieties of the Cretan wines for free.
You have to pay a few Euro fee to enter the city park. Bring your own glass!
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Hiking, Biking & Diving
The Happy Walker offers 6 different hikings through the inland parts of the
island along stony mountain paths and down to riverbeds. You find the office
at 56 Tobazi, telephone: +30 28310 52920.
Crete is a perfect island for watersports, above or under the
sealevel. Scuba diving is a fast growing activity that is also available in
the area of Rethymno. Most dive centers ogffer their activities on the north
coast of Crete, since here is the concentration of tourism. There is however
the Kalypso Rocks Palace Diving Center that transfers their guest to the better
south coast of Crete. Near the village Plakias, which lies directly
opposite the town Rethymno is the base of the diving center. here in crystal
clear water not disturbed from swimmers and boats beginners and experienced
divers can join snorkeling and introduction programs for people from 10 years
of age. Divers holding a certificate may go on guided dives from the shore
or the boat. Join a day full of new experiences and discover Crete underwater.
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Religious holidays
Christmas is of course a big holiday and on the 6 of January "Epiphany"
is celebrated in the ports. The priests bless the sea by throwing the Holy
Cross into the water and divers jump into the sea competing in order to find
the cross.
Easter is the biggest holiday and begins one week (Holy Week) before Easter
Sunday. During Easter you really feel the religous belief of the people. On
Easter Sunday there are barbecues all over the country-side to celebrate the
resurrection of Christ and that spring has arrived.
Another big holiday is on the 15 of August to celebrate the
assumption of the Virgin.
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Go by bus or taxi
You have to buy your ticket before you enter the local bus. You can buy the
tickets from the kiosks in Rethymno and outside from the super market. (Hotel
or Panormo is the bus to the hotels along the beach). When you enter the bus,
hold your ticket and the chauffeur will tear half of it. The bus use to stop
at every bus stop but to be sure, stand up to show that you will go off. The
ticket to Misiria costs 80 cent and to Adele 1,20 Euro. During the tourist
season the bus goes every half hour.
If you want to go with the main road buses you can buy the tickets onboard
the bus or at the bus station. The bus to Hiraklion and Chania leaves every
hour.
Taxi is not very expensive, but we can´t give any prises. You have
to be prepared that the drivercan pick up more passengers and the both parties
pay as it was "your own taxi". There are taxi stations at Iron Sq
and Megali Porta. You can also just wave when you see a taxi in the street
and itwill stop and pick you up.
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Cretan cuisine
The saying goes that the secret behind the long life span of Crete people
is olives and olive oil.
People eat wild vegetables as salad or boiled with local olive oil on top.
Skordopsomi - Garlic bread & cheese from sheep.
Tzatziki - Yoghurt, cucumber, garlic.
Melitzana - Crushed aubergins, herbs, garlic.
Dolmadakia - Wineleaf filld with rice.
Favva - chickpea purée with fresh spice & garlic.
Kalamari - Fried octopussy.
Manitaria - Frizzled garlic and champinjoner, fresh basilika.
Kalsounakia - Small pies with cheese.
Tirokriketter - Fried, cheescroquette.
Garides Sachanaki - Scampi in hot tomato-sauce, fetacheese.
Skordalia - Potatopurée with garlic.
Keftedakia - Meatloaf.
Mezedakia - Before dinner, small plate with different dishes.
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