Fortezza - a Venetian fortress in Rethymno, Crete; It is located almost in the center of the old town. Huge impressive building Fortezza has a long history. Fortezza is visible from every corner of the city, and from the fortress offers stunning views of Rethymnon and the western coast.

The fortress is located on a hill Paliokastro (Old Castle). There is a theory that in ancient times this hill was a small island, but a narrow channel that is shared Paliokastro Crete and dry over time and the hill became part of the big island. Probably, in the Roman period it housed the ancient Acropolis to the Temple of Apollo and Artemis, although reliable evidence of this was found. At the time of Rethymnon was an independent city with its own coinage, but not very powerful. In the Byzantine period (10-13 centuries BC) there was a small village surrounded by walls, called Castrum Retimi or Castel Vecchio. Later, the Venetians called it Castel Antico (Old Castle).

The Venetians, as a maritime state, were going to build a small harbor and used Rethymnon as a shelter or an intermediate base between Heraklion and Chania. Over time, the city has grown, and there was a need for the construction of new fortifications. Turkish threat and the development of artillery after the invention and widespread use of gunpowder in the first half of the 16th century forced the Venice seriously the organization of military defense of Crete. It was decided to build a wall on the project of Venetian architect Michele San Michele.

The foundation stone was laid on April 8, 1540, but the construction was completed only in 1570. Walls of Rethymnon were only an appearance of protection, and, unfortunately, were not sufficiently strong to withstand the attack of corsairs Uludzhi Ali. In 1571 he attacked Rethymnon 40 galleries and completely destroyed the city. This event demonstrated the need for more effective capacity. It was decided to build a fortress that could accommodate all the facilities of Rethymnon. Hill Paliokastro considered the most suitable place, and work began on the Fortezza. Construction began on September 13, 1573. The walls and public buildings have been completed as early as 1580.

After completion of the work it became clear that the fortress is not enough space for private homes and the Fortezza was declared a public place, which can be used in the event of the threat of attack. Most likely the Venetians planned construction of a fortress than to protect the local people and to use their own personal needs. Fortezza is located in a Venetian garrison and administration. In fact, the Fortezza was never particularly safe construction, since there was no outer moat or buttresses (the walls were low, without sufficient support) from the land. Also, Rethymno harbor was too small for the Venetian galleys. Thus, the fortress served as an administrative purposes and temporary shelter for residents who fled their homes abroad.

Rethymnon surrendered to the Turks in 1646. Cathedral of St. Nicholas was rebuilt in the mosque of Ibrahim Khan. On the southern and eastern side of the fortress buildings were built for the Turkish garrison and administration. At the turn of the 20th century, the fortress was a lot of residential buildings. After World War II the inhabitants of Rethymno began to move out of the fortress.

Over time, dilapidated buildings (mainly of Turkish origin) have been destroyed. Almost 20 years it took to restore the fortress. Today we see the Fortezza almost the same as it was when the Venetians. This monumental structure is a hallmark of the city.