Interesting Events
The Renaissance Festival
Since 1987 the famous Renaissance Festival has been organised by the Municipality of Rethymno each summer. Due to the fact that both the architecture and literature of the Renaissance have worked as a pedestal for the development of the town of Rethymno, it seemed only natural that the town should become the main sponsor of a variety of manifestations aiming at the promotion of both the Cretan and European Renaissance. Over the course of the years all the works of Cretan playwriters have been performed as well as a large variety of plays by Shakespeare, Moliere, Goldoni and others. Furthermore musicians from all over the world came to Rethymno to perform a wide range of music, starting from the period of the Renaissance to modern times. On a similar note street performances of the "Comedia del arte" could be seen in the narrow streets and alleys of the old town. Dancing performances, exhibitions of paintings, speeches and cinema complete the framework of the festival activities.
Almost all performances are carried out in the "Erofili" Theatre on the Fortress. To walk on the path, which is paved with cobblestone, uphill to the "Fortezza" on a summer evening and to live the delightful moments of a theatre, dancing or music performance is a blissful experience.
The festival is organised from July to September.
During summer, at the end of July until the first ten days of August, the Municipality of Rethymno organises a Renaissance Festival (since 1987) in the town of Rethymno during which street performances, theatrical plays, music performances, exhibitions of paintings, speeches, dancing performances, pantomimes and film projections are taking place in the streets of the Old Town and in the Fortezza Theatre. The entire town is decorated with flags and pervaded by a great Renaissance atmosphere.
The Cretan Wine Festival
In the coolness of the Municipal Garden, the "Travelling Club" of Rethymno organises the Cretan Wine Festival each summer. A rich programme including traditional Cretan and Greek folklore music groups is offered, thus illustrating the Greek way of entertainment every evening to the large number of local and foreign visitors. Wine is abundantly consumed since it is free.
The visitor will find choices of wine from the largest wine producing companies of Crete, and he is given the opportunity to try almost all the flavours and varieties of the famous Cretan wines.
In the end of July a Wine Festival is organised in the Municipal Garden of Rethymno Town.
Traditional Cretan and Greek folklore music and dances are performed and wine is free for everyone, giving the possibility to taste all the varieties of the famous and excellent Cretan wines.
15th of August
In August the 15th the celebration of the Holy Virgin is held with religious ceremonies and great feasts with food, wine and dances all around the prefecture of Rethymno and in the entire island of Crete.
