Big Door (Porta Guora)

The former Venetian and Ottoman dominances have left their imprint on Rethymno in the shape of structures such as the Fortezza and the Big Door, among others. The fortification commands a magnificent panorama of the city and the port beyond. The Big Door stands at the entrance of Rethymno’s Old Town.

The entry door is one of the few remaining remnants of the original stronghold that guarded the ancient town. The spectacular fortified entrance known as Porta Guora (or the Big Door) was incorporated within the existing building when the defenses were restored. This gate led to the center plaza, which was home to some of the most impressive public structures of the time.

As soon as one passes through the Porta Guora, there is a little market. The gate was named after Jocopo Guora, the rector who oversaw the construction of the gates. A portion of the door with a 2.6 meter high arc constructed of chiseled stones can still be seen at the start of Ethnikis Antistaseos street. St. Mark’s lions embellish the cornice above the columns.