Rethymnon and the surrounding area. Venetian and Turkish styles

Rethymno, situated on the north coast of Crete's third largest tourist center. Besides beaches, its main attraction is the lovely old town which is a compound of Venetian and Turkish styles. Old houses and scenic entrance porticos XV century, reminiscent of the Venetian rule. Lancet minarets, the memory of the Ottomans (XVIII century). In the city are the gates, when - what are called large. This construction of the XVI century can be seen today in the beginning of the street Etnikis Antitazeos. Following it to the port, we get to the Venetian loggia. In contrast, another example of the magnificent Venetian architecture, fountain Rimondi. Typical heads of lions, of which beats the refreshing water, have become the hallmark of the city. Just behind the fountain is the old Venetian port. This is one of the most frequented parts of the city. White lighthouse, which towers over the coast, appeared later than the port building, it is the memory of the Ottoman times. Turning left from the lighthouse, and walking along the seashore, we will see built on a grand scale the fortress Fortezza. It was created in the XVI century Venetians. The walls of the fortress, up to 1,7 m, remain intact for nearly 500 years. Alas, this is not the buildings inside the walls, such as barracks. To this day, preserved fragments of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas (1585), rebuilt after the mosque of Sultan Ibrahim, the Church of St. Theodore (1899), the residence of the governor and the city council, as well as of the episcopal palace. With the bishop of this area is related a funny story. They say he did not want to live in a military fortress, which repeatedly refused to consecrate the cathedral. City and its surroundings hold many more interesting stories. So, shimmering through the walls of the city garden fountain was built for the lepers, who gathered daily around. White Minaret (1887), towering above the roofs of houses, was to become the highest structure in the East, but the builder George Daskalakis not cope with this task. Today minaret here - this fall, besides the Cretans, having gained independence, decided to reduce its size by building a majestic bell at the cathedral.