Veneto, an old Venetian 14th century manor house, is located in the
heart of the Old Town of Rethymno, just a 3-minute walking distance from
the commercial area, the museums, the beach and the numerous cafes, restaurants
and nightclubs.
It has been restored with respect to the character and architecture of the
building, and have created six studios and four suites, ready to take you to the
charm of yesterday and offer you the comforts of today.
In the common areas of the ground floor, there is one of the most beautiful and
famous restaurants on the island, open most of the year.
In the stone-built wine cellar you can find some of the most carefully selected
wines from the Cretan, Greek and national vineries.
Relax in a unique 700-year-old atmosphere, in a journey through time, in a town
ready to embrace you and surprise you! at simple things are usually the most
beautiful ones.
HistoryBeing a part of a Dominican monastery named Santa Maria Magdalena, Veneto
was inaugurated by Michele Sanmicheli in the mid 15th century.
This well-known Venetian architect had taken on the construction of the fortress
of the town of Rethymno (Fortezza), after its reoccupation by its
enemies, the Genovese. Before starting building the fortress though, he
renovated VENETO, LOGGIA (the officers assembly house), as well as three other
houses in order to lodge the Venetian noblemen who were responsible for the
supervision. In the mid 19th century Veneto was bought and renovated by
the Turkish Bey Risvan who gave it to his young newly widowed sister. At the
beginning of the 20th century and after the population exchange, Veneto
was given to Prokopakis Family by the Greek Government, as an acknowledgement of
Emmanuel G. Prokopakis' heroic contribution to the Macedonian Rebellion (1903 -
1908).
Veneto is an impressive architectural ensemble. The entrance is towered
over a mosaic arch of the 1st Venetian Era, witness of the age of the building.
Right beside it, the imposing stone staircase that leads to the upper floors
emerges from a unique pebble floor with elaborate patterns. Party walls 80-120
cm wide assembled with plaster from Santorini, three stone wells, two fountains,
a sublime yard and many particular corners make up a unique architectural
puzzle. Elements of Venetian, Turkish and Greek architecture bound together
through the centuries within a single building. Stone, wood, metal and blown
glass. Long-lasting, stable materials but so beautifully bound together, as if
they never want to separate, reminding us that simple things are usually the
most beautiful ones.