Fortezza, a Venetian fortress, is located on a low hill above Rethymno Town, Crete. Paleokastro is the name of the hill, which means “old castle” in Greek and implies the presence of an ancient construction in the area. The Venetian maritime authority erected this massive castle as a bulwark against Turkish pirates between 1540 and 1570, and it has a tumultuous history.
The building of this massive stronghold required the employment of over 100,000 Cretans on forced labor and over 40,000 pack animals. The Turks, however, seized the Fortezza in 1646. Only the exterior defences of the Fortezza remain intact after several changes over the following three centuries, and only a few structures are presently under restoration. The Fortezza can be seen from many parts of town and offers visitors a panoramic perspective of Rethymno. Visitors arrive through an elegant archway from the East Gate.
The Ibraham Han Mosque, the Santa Maria Bastion, and the church of Agios Theodoros Trichinas are just a few of the things to visit inside the Fortezza. The Russian Governor of Rethymnon erected this orthodox church in 1899. The Erofili Theatre, built in the twentieth century, is also located inside the Fortezza and hosts a variety of cultural events during the summer. The name of this theater comes from a play by Georgios Chortatsis, a local playwright.
