Rethymno

Historical review of Rethymno prefecture

The History of Rethymno began many centuries ago, in the New Stone Age, according to archaeological findings indicating that fishermen were the first to stay occasionally in the area of the cave of Gerani. Evidence regarding the existence of the town, such as ancient writings, inscriptions and coins, date from the 5th – 4th Century BC.

During the Late Minoan Era, beginning from the middle of the 12th century BC until the middle of the 11th century BC, Minoan Civilization enjoyed great prosperity and Cretans developed their trade and started having contact with Syria and Egypt.

Trade and Culture flourished until the reign of mythical King Minos, probably due to the disastrous volcanic eruption of the Thera that suddenly disrupted Cretan welfare and prosperity.

After that period, the population of the island faced many challenges, because of the invasions in the consequent eras. Dorians at first, the Romans, the Venetians, the Turks and finally theGermans conquered the island. Beautiful Crete is desperately wanted and Cretans despite their bravery and will, couldn’t win their freedom.

In 1204 a new era for Crete begins and especially for Rehymno. When the Byzantine Empire reached its end due to their defeat by the Crusaders, their leaders sold Cretan land to the Venetians. However, the Venetians dominated large areas in Peloponnesus and the Aegean Sea as well and couldn’t control the new land they acquired. Therefore it was easy for their enemies to attack the island that was unprotected.

The year 1538 was a turning point for Rethymno. The town survived from a great attack of Pirate Barbarosa, whose history and achievements are described by many well known writers, in modern times. Barbarosa’s threat, led the Venetians to the conclusion that the town required fortification in order to be protected from invaders.

Therefore, they began enclosing the town with walls, starting from the eastern part of the town till the western one. The construction works helped to protect only the south part of the town whereas the northern area, by the sea, was not adequately secured. Some years later, when pirate Oloutz Ali conquered Rethymno without facing special difficulties, the Venetians realized their mistake regarding their defensive strategy and, after two years, started building a fortress that has survived through all these years until today. It’s known as one of the most characteristic monuments of Rethymno and its beauty is unique: it’s the so-called “Fortezza”.

At the beginning of 16th century Rehymno flourished. Its population was ca. 10000, which remained the highest one till 1940. The desire and will of the Rethymnians to promote their culture and history were so strong that managed to influence their conquerors’ way of living. The Venetians started to follow cretan habits in every day life. Noble families of Rethymno co ruled their own town.

The period of “Cretan Reconnaissance” comes next. During that time cultural development seemed to occur only in Crete and the Ionian Islands. The middle class was activated and developed rapidly. Scientists started coming back to the town. They belonged to the middle class families of Rethymno and returned after traveling to Padova for university studies.

It’s the same period when Georgios Chortatzis wrote his astonishing drama “Erofili”. Furthermore,Marinos Tzanes Bounialis is the writer of “Cretan War”, a poetic historical narrative that provides information about social life in Rethymno during the late years of the Venetian Domination. They both determine and enrich cretan literature and poetry.

This cultural acme was suddenly disrupted in 1669: Crete under Turkish Occupation. Financial and cultural poverty was the outcome of this historical period. Despite all that has been achieved before that period, intellectual and artistic life seemed to deteriorate. The Turks, at first, managed to fight Cretan Culture and Traditions successfully.

The town of Rethymno was deserted. Revolution in 1821 helped Rethymnians and all Cretans to prove once more their love for their land that encouraged and strengthened them. Freedom was again their only aim and they fought their enemy bravely. The Holocaust of the Monastery of Arkadi is the most significant moment of their efforts (1866).

Their struggle for freedom was finally successful. In 1897 Crete managed to gain its autonomy again and Rethymno, made its first steps for its development. The road from Rethymno to Georgioupoli and new bridges, as well, were constructed. The first dentist’s office, the first nursery school and the first photographer’s shop were set up.

Difficulties and obstacles haven’t vanished yet for the town of Rethymno. Financial and cultural prosperity were stopped once more in 1907, when Great Forces’ troops left Crete.

The Second World War caused many disasters to the citizens of Rethymno.

Rethymnians tried to regain their strength after the war and managed to revive their culture and traditions. Since the seventies, Rethymno has based its development strategy on tourism that flourished thanks to its natural beauty, the admirable sceneries and mainly thanks to local warm hospitality of which Rethymnians are well-known in all over Europe.

Beaches in Rethimno

Beaches in Rethimno of Crete, amazing beaches with blue flags. Sandy beaches at the south coast of Crete, isolated small harbours and scenic beaches in the perfecture of Rethimno.

See all the routes for the Rethimno beaches and the locations on the map of Rethymno .
Map with beaches of Crete

Beaches in north Crete.

i. Rethimno

The beach in Rethymno has a length of 12 kilometers starting from the town area and ending in the region of Skaleta, where large hotel units operate, located outside the town to the east. All along the length of the coast the visitor enjoys a golden sandy beach. The part of the coast located in the town is very crowded during the summer months, but as long as you drive outside the town it?s a little quieter. The beach in Rethymno is very well organized with a great number of lifeguards working from 10am till 5pm, looking after people and informing them of potential hazards. Along the beach, basically hotels, rent umbrellas and sunbeds to people visiting the beach. In that area visitors have the opportunity to enjoy water sports at certain points along the beach.

ii. Geropotamos

The beach of is situated under Geropotamos bridge, in the national road that leads to Heraklio. The route from Rethymno lasts approximately 25 minutes. The beach was named after Geropotamos River that falls into the sea in that area. It?s a relatively small but picturesque beach and combines sand and pebbles. The sea is deep and there are no lifeguards. Therefore it is necessary to be careful, especially if the visitor is not an excellent swimmer. Visitors can rent sunbeds and umbrellas and have a meal.



 

iii. Episkopi-Petres

The beaches of Episkopi and Petres are quite large and are mainly sandy. One can arrive there using the national road to Chania and the route lasts 20 minutes. Several hotels have been built near the sea to take advantage of its beauty. Due to its size, the beach has not been developed along its whole length. Therefore within the areas that are organized, lifeguards have been appointed thanks to hotels or the local municipality, so as to provide safety for the visitors. There are also beach bars or restaurants to eat or drink.

iv. Panormos

Panormo is a village that flourished the last few years due to tourism and every year accommodates guests from all over the world. Panormo is 25 minutes far from Rethymno and the main road to arrive is the national road towards Heraklio. Panormo has a sandy beach with brown smooth sand and is located in the village area, on the west side of the village. Hotel units that were built adjacent to the beach have helped organizing it and making it popular. The beach has sunbeds and umbrellas for rent and one can visit a tavern to eat. Visitors have the chance to enjoy water sports as well.

v. Bali

Bali is a village whose development is similar to Panormo. It is ca. 35 minutes from Rethymno, following the national road from Rethymno to Heraklio. It is a summer resort and its beach is always crowded in that period. It is well organized with restaurants, cafe - bars and is full of sunbeds and umbrellas. The beach is in the village area and the sand is smooth and brown. There are some areas, though, that have also stones. In Bali, visitors can enjoy water sports, too.

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Beaches in south Crete

i. Damnoni-Ammoudi

Damnoni and Ammoudi are two beaches adjacent to each other, in the south part of Crete. The route to them lasts approximately 30 minutes. Damnoni is the largest one and is more organized than Ammoudi. There is a tavern near the beach and a hotel accommodates hundreds of guests every summer. Ammoudi is smaller and more picturesque than Damnoni and therefore it is always full of visitors. It is also a well-known nudist beach. Both of them have thin pebbles and are known for their clean and cold waters. Visitors have the opportunity to rent sunbeds and umbrellas, but in Damnoni they are not enough to cover all visitors.

iii. Prevelis

The beach of Preveli is one of the most beautiful ones on the island. So, tourists and Cretans love it and visit it regularly. There are two ways to visit the beach: •  The first one is to drive to the Monastery of Preveli and then step down to the beach. The route duration on foot is ca 10-15 minutes. •  The second choice is driving to Plakias. A little boat will take you to the beach of Preveli. The boat sails at 10:30 and returns to Plakias at 16:00. The guest is charmed by the wonderful natural scenery, which is dominated by a river that flows into the sea, surrounded by tens of palm trees. It is worth visiting the river where one sees wonderful areas with small falls and rich vegetation. By the sea, there are a few small shops for souvenirs of food and an organized beach with umbrellas and sunbeds.

iv. Akoumia

Akoumia beach is a familiar destination mostly for Rethymnians rather than for tourists. It is the ideal beach to relax since it is very rarely crowded with people. The route duration is about 40 minutes, driving to Akoumia. The pebbled sandy beach, named after this village, has wonderful colorings thanks to the sea-smoothed pebbles. It is organized with umbrellas, sunbeds and a restaurant very close to the beach.



 

v. Triopetra

Triopetra beach is also near Akoumia village and the route lasts 40 minutes beginning from Rethymno. It is named after three stones (Trio-petra) that emerge from the sea in front of the beach. Like Akoumia beach, it is familiar destination mainly for local inhabitants. It?s a magnificent beach well-known for the gorgeous sunset that one should wait for and see.




 

vi. Agios Paulos

It is said to be one of the most beautiful beaches of prefecture?s south coast and its advantage is that it is rarely full of visitors. Thus it is the right choice for those ones that would like to relax and escape from daily pressure. One can find rent rooms close to the beach and stay there for a few days. There is also a restaurant and the beach is provided with some umbrellas and sunbeds for rent. It has smoothed pebbles and is characterized by its crystal waters.




 

vii.Agia Galini

Agia Galini is a resort 58 km from Rethymno, in the south part of the prefecture. Apart from the plethora of touristic infrastructures, it has two magnificent very clean beaches within the picturesque marinas region. The beach of Agia Galini is well organized and visitors have the opportunity to enjoy various activities like water sports and diving. The beach is not recommended to visitors that need relaxation due to the fact that it?s always crowded with tourists during summer period. Agia Galini is a destination appropriate for those ones who want to spend two days near the sea, enjoying at the same time nightlife and nice food of village restaurants.

See all routes to the above beaches and their location Map with beaches of Crete .