The Fortezza of Rethymno: An Audio Guide

(1 review)

Rethymno audio tour: The Fortezza of Rethymno: An Audio Guide

This is an indoor tour

Rethymno

Greece

$24.99

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About the Tour

Rising above Rethymno, the Fortezza is the city’s defining landmark, and one of the most complete examples of Venetian military architecture in the eastern Mediterranean. On this walking tour, you’ll find out how the fortress – designed as a modern artillery stronghold – was built by the Republic of Venice after the Ottoman raid of 1571, on the low hill of Paleokastro. You’ll walk along its sweeping ramparts, angular bastions and enjoy commanding views over the sea and hinterland. You’ll also find out how it reflects Renaissance defensive principles and Crete’s strategic importance within Venice’s maritime empire.

The tour starts outside the Fortezza at the north-east corner, overlooking the Rethymnon harbour. This carefully designed tour will transform the experience from a simple walk among ruins into a journey through strategy, daily life and architectural innovation. Along the way, you’ll see overlooked details, hidden viewpoints and the evolving use of key spaces. You’ll also gain a clearer understanding of how the fortress functioned and why it mattered.

Though it fell to the Ottomans in 1646, you’ll get a sense of how the structure continued to shape the city’s development, and remains the most visible expression of its layered history.

On this three-hour tour, you’ll also have a chance to:

Walk the defensive systems put in place by one of the top-Venetian military architects
Find out how Venice, Rethymno formed a vital link between the Adriatic and the Levant, safeguarding trade routes and imperial authority
Visit the impressive Ibrahim Han Mosque inside the Fortezza
Find out the practical reasons behind the unique features of the fortress
See examples of the multi-purpose functionality of the fortress
Hear about the fortress’ evolution from ancient religious sanctuary to a centre of military power
Meet some of the most influential people who shaped medieval Rethymno

By the end of this tour, you’ll also have seen its centuries of military innovation, from Byzantine foundations over Venetian genius to Ottoman adaptation. This tour connects the panoramic landscape with the human stories behind the walls, allowing the Fortezza to be understood not just as a monument, but as the historical heart of Rethymno.

Please note: There is an entrance fee of €5 (Euro) per adult while over 65s enjoy a reduced entry fee of €3.00, providing they show proof of their age. There is no entry fee for students, The tour will guide you to the ticket office to get your tickets. This is valid for the year 2026.

Tour Producer

Enda MacMullen

3 tours

Originally from Ireland, I have found my second home in Crete. I have been living in the area around the city of Rethymnon for 16 years and have worked as a guide for various travel agencies in the region.

I use this background and my practical knowledge, gained during many hours of travelling, walking and hiking in the prefecture of Rethymno and conversations with the local population as the basis for my audio guides. This information is checked several times against reliable, recognized scientific articles and books published in Greece and abroad. Everything is then summarized in authentic, top-quality audio. My tours mainly cover rare or little-known destinations, but that doesn't make them any less worthwhile.

Other than producing audio guides, I'm also do bespoke nature walks with the emphasis on endemic wild flowers of Crete. These walks are held from the beginning of March to the middle of June and introduce participants to the enormous wealth of wildflowers on the island.

Preview Location

Location 13

The Ibrahim Han Mosque

The little church of St. Catherine was built at the end of the 19th century. The inscription above the door tells us that the bell tower was constructed in 1985 thanks to a generous donation by Georgios Diakoumakis. Just up from this little church are the ruins of the Bishop’s... The little church of St. Catherine was built at the end of the 19th century. The inscription above the door tells us that the bell tower was constructed in 1985 thanks to a generous donation by Georgios Diakoumakis. Just up from this little church are the ruins of the Bishop’s Palace. This complex is in very bad shape and is used today as a workshop for stone and woodwork needed for the renovation of various items and buildings around the Fortezza.

It must be noted that when the Venetian authorities decided to house the civil, military, and religious authorities within the protective walls of the Fortezza, no provision was made to provide space and protection for the Cretan Orthodox faithful. Only the Roman Catholics were offered protection within its walls. This decision caused serious tension with the overwhelmingly Orthodox population of the city.

In its original configuration, the bishop’s palace did also have the cathedral of St Nikolas connected to it. When the Ottoman conquered Rethymnon in 1646, sultan Ibrahim Han converted this cathedral into the mosque we see here today, and gave it his name.

Ibrahim Han was emotionally unstable and a very disturbed character. His mother Anastasia was an ethnic Greek woman who became the favourite concubine and later wife of Sultan Ahmed the first. Becoming Sultan of the Ottoman empire was a dangerous business. Out of the total of 36 sultans the empire had, no less than 16 were forcefully removed by external rivals or even family members. Ibrahim Han was no exception to this.

Sultan Murad IV, who was his full brother, had already murdered another brother and 3 half-brothers to maintain power. Ibrahim was saved from the same fate by his mother’s pleas and because Murad considered him incapable of doing anything, and kept him prisoner in the palace instead. When the 27 year old Murad died as a result of extreme alcohol abuse, Ibrahim, as the only blood relative alive, became Sultan and was known as ‘Deli Ibrahim’ or 'crazy Ibrahim'.

It was under his rule that the Ottoman invaded and captured Crete. However, he did not live long enough to savour the victory. Although his mother had saved his life when he was a child, she eventually got fed up with his irresponsible policies as a Sultan. He once had all 280 women of his harem sown into weighted sacks and drowned in the Bosporus simply so that he could enjoy selecting replacements. His mother sanctioned his execution in August of 1648 and he was put to death by strangulation on August 18th of that year.
::
If you can go in to the mosque, please do. The enormous domed roof is even more impressive if you get to see it from the inside. And the acoustics in the place are really out of this world.

Outside, to the right of the main entrance door are the ruins of what once was the minaret, the tower from which the Muslim faithful were called to prayer.
::
From here, let’s go straight over to the north wall, to the ruins between the Rector’s Hall and the north wall itself.

Click on the "I'm Here" button once you get there. Read More

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Major Landmarks

Rethymno Lighthouse
Rimondi Fountain
Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon
Neratze Mosque
Guora gate
Kara Musa Pasha Mosque
Ecclesiastical Museum

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
Leof. Emmanouil Kefalogianni 27, Rethymno 741 31, Greece
Total distance

0m
Final location
Leof. Emmanouil Kefalogianni 27, Rethymno 741 31, Greece
Distance back to start location

0m

Directions to Starting Point

The tour begins outside the Fortezza at the north-east corner under the Saint Nikolas bastion. During the high season, if you are early enough, you can find free parking down below along the coast raod. If not, drive on towards the harbour and turn left onto the paid parking. From there, walk the short way back and up to the starting point.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Once you have finished the tour, and you feel like sitting down for a drink and a snack, we recommend any of the little places and the street leading down right after you exit the Fortezza.

Best time of day

The Fortezza is open from 10.00am to 18.00. During the high season (May - September) it is best to arrive as close as possible to the opening time. The Fortezza is a huge open space, with little shade for the most part.

Precautions

Make sure you wear a hat, and have water and something to snack with you. There is a little shop inside, close to the armoury, that sells water and other bits and pieces. You are also advised to wear good, supportive shoes. Many parts of the Fortezza are rough terrain with lots of rocks.

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“This app has become my go-to app for audio tours. I pretty much use it for every trip and it works wonderfully. I highly recommend VoiceMap for travelers to truly experience cities.”

App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”

Google Play Store

Last Updated

27 Feb 2026

Questions and Reviews

3 / 5

1 Ratings

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