# Rethymno > city in Crete, Greece **Wikidata**: [Q200908](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q200908) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rethymno) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rethymno ## Summary Rethymno is a historic city located on the island of Crete in Greece, serving as the capital of the Rethymno Regional Unit and Rethymno Municipality. With a population of 34,085 residents as of 2021, the city is known for its Venetian-era fortress, well-preserved old town, and strategic coastal location on the Aegean Sea. The city has a rich historical legacy dating back to ancient times and serves as an important cultural, administrative, and tourist center in Crete. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Coastal city on Crete, Greece; coordinates 35.36888888888889°N, 24.47388888888889°E - **Administrative status**: Capital of Rethymno Prefecture, Rethymno Regional Unit, and Rethymno Municipality - **Area**: 397.5 square kilometres - **Elevation**: 17 metres above sea level (10 metres according to preferred source) - **Population**: 34,085 (2021), 32,468 (2011), 28,959 (2001), 24,893 (1991) - **Postal code**: 741 00 - **Local dialing code**: 28310 - **Licence plate codes**: PE, PH - **Native name**: Ρέθυμνο (Greek); official ancient name: Ρέθυμνον - **Patron saint**: Saint Barbara - **Demonym**: retimioti, rettimioti (masculine plural) - **Website**: https://www.rethymno.gr/ (available in Greek and English) - **Historical predecessor**: Rhithymna - **Twin towns**: Pushkin (Russia), Agia Napa (Cyprus), Castenaso (Italy) ## FAQs **What is Rethymno known for historically?** Rethymno is known for its Venetian fortress (Fortezza), which dominates the city and dates from the Venetian period of Cretan history. The city has historical connections dating back to ancient times, with its predecessor settlement being Rhithymna. **What is the population of Rethymno?** According to Greek census data, Rethymno had a population of 34,085 residents in 2021, 32,468 in 2011, 28,959 in 2001, and 24,893 in 1991. **What administrative units is Rethymno the capital of?** Rethymno serves as the capital of three administrative entities: Rethymno Prefecture, Rethymno Regional Unit, and Rethymno Municipality. **What are the vehicle licence plate codes for Rethymno?** The licence plate codes for Rethymno are PE and PH. **What is Rethymno's relationship to Crete?** Rethymno is located on the island of Crete, specifically on the northern coast along the Aegean Sea. It is situated within Rethymno Municipality and the Commune of Rethymno. **What languages is the official Rethymno website available in?** The official municipal website at https://www.rethymno.gr/ is available in both Greek and English. **What are some notable alternative names for Rethymno?** Rethymno has numerous alternative names and spellings across different languages, including Rethymnon, Resmo, Retino, Réthymno, Rethimno, Ρέθυμνο (Greek), Ретимно (Russian), ريثيمنون (Arabic), 雷西姆农 (Chinese), and 레팀노스 (Korean). ## Why It Matters Rethymno matters as one of the three major cities on Crete, serving as a vital administrative, cultural, and economic hub for the island's western and central regions. The city's historical significance stems from its continuous habitation since ancient times, its strategic coastal position that made it a contested prize among Venetian, Ottoman, and Greek rulers, and its preservation of important architectural heritage including the Venetian fortress and Ottoman-era mosques and fountains. The city plays a crucial role in Crete's tourism industry, attracting visitors to its well-preserved old town, beaches, and cultural sites. As the capital of the Rethymno Regional Unit, it serves as the administrative center for local government services, education, and healthcare for surrounding communities. The municipality's area of 397.5 square kilometres encompasses both urban and rural populations totaling over 50,000 residents, making it a significant regional center. Rethymno's twin town relationships with Pushkin (Russia), Agia Napa (Cyprus), and Castenaso (Italy) reflect its international connections and cultural exchange programs. The city's presence in numerous language versions of Wikipedia (over 60 languages) demonstrates its recognition as a notable global destination. ## Notable For - **Venetian Fortress**: The Fortezza castle, a major Venetian-era fortification that dominates the city's skyline - **Preserved Old Town**: One of the best-preserved old towns in Crete with Venetian and Ottoman architectural elements - **Historical Continuity**: Ancient predecessor settlement of Rhithymna, with continuous habitation spanning millennia - **Administrative Importance**: Serves as capital of Rethymno Prefecture, Regional Unit, and Municipality - **International Recognition**: Wikipedia articles in over 60 languages; featured in numerous international encyclopedias and databases - **Cultural Heritage**: Listed in multiple heritage databases including the Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire and thesaurus collections - **Academic References**: Subject of entries in major encyclopedic works including Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Treccani's Enciclopedia Italiana, and Encyclopædia Britannica ## Body ### Geography and Location Rethymno is situated on the northern coast of Crete, the largest Greek island, positioned at coordinates 35.36888888888889°N latitude and 24.47388888888889°E longitude. The city lies along the Aegean Sea, giving it a significant coastal character with access to maritime routes that have been important throughout its history. The municipality covers an area of 397.5 square kilometres, encompassing both the urban center and surrounding territories. The elevation of Rethymno is recorded as 17 metres above sea level according to Greek statistical sources, with an alternative measurement of 10 metres considered preferred by topographic sources. This relatively low-lying coastal position has influenced the city's development and its historical role as a port and trading center. The city is located within Rethymno Municipality and the Commune of Rethymno, serving as the administrative center for the broader region. Crete itself is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, making Rethymno's position on this island strategically significant. ### Administrative Structure Rethymno serves as the capital of three distinct administrative entities: Rethymno Prefecture (a historical administrative division), Rethymno Regional Unit (a modern administrative unit within the Crete region), and Rethymno Municipality (the current local government entity). This multi-level administrative significance reflects the city's importance as a regional center. The municipality is identified by several administrative codes, including the ELSTAT geographical code 7301010101, which is used for statistical and administrative purposes in Greece. The local dialing code for the city and surrounding area is 28310, while postal codes for the city center and suburbs fall under 741 00. Vehicle registration in Rethymno uses licence plate codes PE and PH, distinguishing vehicles registered in the Rethymno area from those in other Greek regions. ### Population and Demographics The population of Rethymno has shown growth trends over recent decades. According to Greek census data measuring resident population, the city had 24,893 residents in 1991, growing to 28,959 in 2001, further increasing to 32,468 in 2011, and reaching 34,085 in 2021. This steady growth reflects the city's development as a regional center and its attractiveness as a place to live, work, and visit. The demonym for residents of Rethymno is retimioti or rettimioti in masculine plural form, used to identify people from this city. This linguistic detail reflects the local Greek dialect and naming conventions specific to the region. ### Historical Background Rethymno's history traces back to ancient times, with its historical predecessor being Rhithymna (also spelled Rhithymna). This ancient settlement established Rethymno's presence as an important settlement on Crete's northern coast long before the medieval period. The city has been influenced by multiple civilizations throughout its history, including Venetian rule (from the 13th to 17th centuries) and Ottoman rule (from 1669 to 1898). These historical periods left lasting architectural and cultural imprints on the city, most notably the Venetian fortress (Fortezza) and various Ottoman-era structures. The official ancient name of the city was Ρέθυμνον (Rethymnon), reflecting its Greek heritage and classical origins. ### Architecture and Landmarks Rethymno is notable for its well-preserved architectural heritage spanning multiple historical periods. The Venetian fortress, known as Fortezza, represents one of the most significant Venetian fortifications in Crete and remains a prominent landmark dominating the city's hilltop. This fortress was constructed during the Venetian period of Cretan history and served as a defensive stronghold. The old town of Rethymno is considered one of the best-preserved in Crete, featuring narrow streets, Venetian-era buildings, and Ottoman architectural elements that reflect the city's complex historical layers. This architectural heritage makes Rethymno an important destination for cultural tourism and historical study. The city features various religious sites, with Saint Barbara recognized as the patron saint of Rethymno, indicating the importance of religious traditions in local culture. ### International Connections and Identification Rethymno is identified by numerous international identification systems and databases, reflecting its recognition as a significant global location. The city has a VIAF (Virtual International Authority File) ID of 132512127, connecting it to international library authority records. The Library of Congress authority ID is n79091243, while the GND (German National Library) ID is 4274296-1. Geographic identification numbers include GeoNames ID 254352 and OpenStreetMap node ID 31376614, allowing the city to be located on various mapping platforms. The Freebase ID is /m/03fzjh, and the city appears in the Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire with ID 25171. The city has a presence in worldcat entities (ID E39PBJfh7th9tX4Ww83Y6XkFKd) and is indexed in multiple specialized databases including the thesaurus linguae aegyptiae (thesaurus ID RX2NYMVJLNCKDDMKSGT5OHGTK4), the Schoenberg database of manuscripts (place ID 4300), and the thesaurus for the Pactols project (ID pcrtDv08sbWwY2). ### Cultural and Educational Resources Rethymno maintains an official municipal website (https://www.rethymno.gr/) available in both Greek and English, providing information about local government services, events, and tourism. The city is served by various educational and cultural institutions appropriate to its size as a regional center. The city appears in numerous language versions of Wikipedia—over 60 languages including English, Greek, German, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, and many others—demonstrating its international recognition and the availability of information about the city across linguistic communities. Rethymno is featured in major international encyclopedic works including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Treccani's Enciclopedia Italiana (with an entry by Margherita Guarducci dated 1936), and Encyclopædia Britannica online. ### International Relationships Rethymno participates in international friendship and exchange programs through its twin town relationships. The city is twinned with three municipalities: Pushkin in Russia (a historic city near Saint Petersburg), Agia Napa in Cyprus (a major tourist destination), and Castenaso in Italy (a municipality near Bologna). These twinning relationships facilitate cultural exchange, tourism, and mutual cooperation between the cities. ### Categories and Classification The city is classified as a "city" in terms of settlement type, with a sitelink count of 252 across Wikimedia projects. It belongs to various thematic categories including Category:Rethymno (town) on Wikimedia Commons, Category:Maps of Rethymno for cartographic materials, Category:Views of Rethymno for visual representations, Category:Births in Rethymno and Category:Deaths in Rethymno for demographic tracking, and Category:People from Rethymno for notable residents. The city has been the subject of academic study in Islamic studies, with an entry in the TDV Encyclopedia of Islam (ID: resmo), reflecting historical connections to Islamic scholarship during the Ottoman period. ### Additional Identifiers Rethymno is registered with numerous additional identification systems: IDREF ID 126824657, Google Play store ID "Réthymno", National Library of Israel J9U ID 987007550346705171, Bibliothèque nationale de France ID 12460127p, ArchInform location ID 8801, RKD thesaurus ID 61063, Kulturenvanteri taxonomy ID 2739, YaleLux ID place/04374453-cb78-4336-ac35-e1e1ed3b688b, Pinakes city ID 485, and What's On First ID 101848303. The GNS unique feature ID is -827465, and the OpenWeatherMap city ID is 8133759. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. BnF authorities 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 4. GeoNames 5. [Source](http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf) 6. [Source](https://it-ch.topographic-map.com/map-fq6p4s/Rethymno/?zoom=19¢er=35.36607%2C24.47761&popup=35.36629%2C24.47761) 7. Enciclopedia Treccani 8. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php) 9. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/resmo)