Ibrahim Han Mosque

In the heart of the Venetian Fortezza stands the Ibrahim Han Mosque. The mosque, which is located close to the Rector’s home, was erected in 1580 as a Venetian church dedicated to Saint Nicholas. When the Turks conquered Rethymno in 1646, Sultan Ibrahim Han transformed it into an Ottoman mosque, and it was given his name.

The structure of the building is excellent. It is a solid square structure with an 11-meter-diameter dome. Inside, there is a prayer niche in the center of the south-eastern wall, facing Mecca, the Muslim holy city.

On its west side, it also features the base of a minaret, which is the only element of the construction that has survived the years, while the minaret itself has not. In 1899, a tiny chapel dedicated to Agios Theodoros Trichinas was erected close to the mosque and dedicated to him. Sadly, the mosque is now closed to the general public and only opens for musical performances. Even if you only go to appreciate the building and peek inside through a window, it’s still worth a visit.