The Clock Tower (Pirgos Rologiou) – Rethymno

The famous Clock Tower of Rethymno is one of the most famous monuments of Rethymno but there is a catch. It no longer exists! The only sign that proves its existence is a part of its door that can be seen built into a store on Arkadiou Street.

It was built in the 16th century on the ruins of a tower of Castel Vecchio, the Byzantine fortification of the city, and together with the Loggia and the Rimondi fountain was one of the most important monuments of the Venetian square.

At that time, of course, the buildings north of Arkadi did not exist, so the Clock Tower looked towards the sea. It was a square tall tower, one of the tallest in the city of Venetian Rethymno that reached a height of 20 m.  On the south façade, it was decorated with the coats of arms and the Lion of St. Mark, and of course a stone disk relief with representations of the zodiac. Although a unique monument of its kind in Crete, during the Turkish occupation its role was degraded. The same was true for all monuments around the Venetian piazza. Gradually, houses and shops began to be built around it. Finally, in 1945, the Municipal Authority decided to demolish it in order to widen the road and so the famous “Clock” of Rethymno became a thing of the past.

Other popular attractions in Rethymno not to miss, are the Guora Gate, once the main entrance into the walled city, and the Fortezza. You will also find the Kara Musa Pasha and Veli Pasa mosques and plenty of churches both in the city and in a short driving distance. The churches of Timios Stavros, and Four Martyrs and the monasteries of Saint John the Theologian, Panagia Chalevi, and Arkadi are all found in the prefecture of Rethymno. While in the city, it is also worth stopping by the Turkish School, now housing the 1st Primary School of Rethymno, that was reconstructed in 1890 and is a preserved historical monument.

Rethymno is a city that expertly weaves together the strands of its past, and one need only pay attention to witness its colourful bindings.