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When the Venetians came to Rethymno they established themselves in the Castel Vecchio, the first building centre of the town.
The Castel Vecchio included a very small area and was surrounded by a fortified wall. Later, the expansion of the settlement beyond that wall demanded the construction of a new wall, which would include a larger area. This was carried out during the period between 1540 and 1570, when the new settlement was fortified according to the drafts of M. Sanmicheli.
The new fortification of the building complex included a magnificent entrance gate, the Porta Guora, which led to the central square, where the superb public buildings such as the Loggia, the Rimondi Fountain and the sundial tower were situated.
In 1571 Ulutz Ali devastated the wall during one of his raids. Thus it became absolutely vital to fortify the hill of Palaiokastro (Old Castle) and to relocate the entire city there. Many problems had to be solved before the Fortezza was finally built during the period between 1573 and 1578. However, the city was never transferred to the safe area within the walls.
A draft of Rethymno by Angelo Oddi. 1584
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The Great Gate of the city of Rethymno, the Porta Guora, is one of the few remains of the city's initial fortification. The name is derived from the Rettore J. Guoro, who was in office during the period of its construction (1566-1568). It is situated at the entrance of Antistaseos Street and up to the present it has been preserved, 2.60 m wide and with a semi-circular arch. Originally it included a crown in its gable with the relief of the lion of St. Marko in the tympanum.
The Porta Guora, The Great Gate for the people of Rethymno in the photography by Gerola.
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The Fortezza of Rethymno
