Rethymnon

Town and department in Crete, Greece; population (2001 est) 81,200 (department). It is situated on the north coast and contains one of the largest sand beaches in Crete (7 mi/12 km).It is the island's most mountainous province. Rethymnon is the administrative and commercial centre of the island. Its port is the outlet for produce from the surrounding agricultural area, and local industries include tanning, olive-oil refining, and soap manufacturing. There is a direct ferry connection all year round from the port of Rethymnon to Peiraias, Athens, the main port in Greece.

According to archaeological discoveries, the first traces of human habitation in the area date from the later Neolithic era (3500–2800 BC). Rethymnon became a port city under Venetian occupation; a harbour was built in the 1300s. It was initially surrounded by a Venetian wall which is now in ruins. The Fortezza Fortress was built by the Venetians in 1573 in order to protect the local population. The Turks took over Rethymnon in 1646.

The Ibrahim Han Mosque was originally built by the Venetians as a cathedral and is one of several mosques dating from the time of Turkish occupation. St Franciscus Church is a Catholic monastery of the Franciscan order, and has a sloped wooden-roofed basilica. There are many examples of Renaissance architecture.