Fortezza is the Venetian castle of Rethymnon near the old city center. It is almost visible from any place of the city and offers panoramic view across the city of Rethymno, built on the hill of Paleokastro.

From carvings found in different parts of the hill it seems that before the medieval Fortezza in this area was the citadel of ancient Rithimna and the Temple of Artemis Rokkaias.

The fort was built for fortification purposes, two years after the destruction of the city from the pirates of Ouloutz Ali in 1571. In 1580 the work was completed by 76,800 inhabitants chores entire county

In the center of the Fortezza was the square, the residence of the Rector, and the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, which under Turkish rule was converted into a mosque and added a minaret. Other buildings within the fortification was two powder warehouses, several tanks, housing the Directors, the Episcopal Palace, the artillery, the churches St. Catherine and St. Theodore and indigent citizens homes.

The Fortezza was occupied by Turkish troops on 4 November 1646. Today exist only some ruins of Venetian buildings, walls, tanks and mosque, as most were destroyed by German troops who planted guns and hostages kept in place.

You can visit the fortress Fortezza through our tours Tour 10 and Tour 11, and discover one of the greatest monuments of the island.