03.08.2013
Крепость Фортецца находится в критском городе Ретимно, наancient hill of Paliokastro. This is a magnificent fortification with centuries-old history was laid by the Venetians to control over the Cretan territory. Now this is one of the main Attractions Rethymnon, which is perfectly visible from virtually any part of the city. From the fortress before my eyes a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside.
In Rethymno, there is a legend that in ancient times the Paliokastro hill was a separate small island off the coast of Crete, but then the canal between them dried up and connected the two parts of the land. Historians believe that during the time of the Roman Empire, the Acropolis and temples were located on a hill Artemis and Apollo. Once Rethymno was even independent city with its own monetary unit.
The data on the Byzantine period of history show that time a small urban settlement called Castel Vecchio or Castrum Retimi was surrounded by a defensive wall. Venetians, who settled on the Cretan lands later, gave the settlement The name Old Castle is Antico Castel. As you know, they are actively developed and strengthened their maritime state, so they built in Rethymno Harbor – as an intermediate base between Chania and Heraklion.
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Some time later, after increasing military threat from Turks, Venetians took up new defenses cities. At the beginning of the XVI century. the development of artillery was in full swing, and to strengthening of the military defense of Crete came very seriously. For the design of the defensive wall project was attracted by the Venetian architect Michele Sanmicheli. Works that began in 1540 were completed only 30 years later – in the 1570th. Unfortunately, the first Rethymnon did not pass the test of reinforcement: in 1571, the corsairs Uluj Ali on 40 galleys completely destroyed the city.
After this terrible incident, it became clear that you need build new powerful walls that would reliably cover the city with all sides. A hill was chosen as the site for the construction. Paliokastro. Construction of the fortress Fortezza began 13 September 1573, and by 1580 the wall was completed and public buildings.
However, there is no room left for houses in the middle of the fortress – rather of all, the Venetians did not plan to use it as a shelter for total settlement. In case of a threat, the locals could be saved. here, just leaving their homes.
In the fortress was the Venetian administration and the garrison. Her bastions were connected by a powerful curtain wall, however, reliable Fortezza’s fortification was still not: from the land side, the walls were not too high, there was no outer moat and buttresses here. In addition, the harbor near Paliokastro was for Venetian galleys too close.
Stormy milestones of history spared this fortification – it came to us practically in its original form, and today Fortezza, like four centuries ago, proudly towers over the city, meeting passing court
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9: 00-19: 00
- Weekends: No Weekends
- Admission price: 5 €
