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Guora Gate: A Venetian Echo in Rethymno

Step through time at Rethymno's Guora Gate, a surviving archway and a window into the city's Venetian past, marking the entrance to the Old Town.

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The Guora Gate, also known as Porta Guora or Megali Porta (Big Gate), is a remnant of Rethymno's Venetian fortifications, offering a glimpse into the city's past. Built in the 16th century, it served as the main entrance to the fortified city. Today, it stands as a historical landmark and a gateway to Rethymno's charming Old Town.

A brief summary to Guora gate

  • Antistaseos ke Dimakopoulou, Rethimno, 741 31, GR
  • Visit website

Local tips

  • Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and capture the best light for photos.
  • Explore the narrow streets of the Old Town that begin at the Guora Gate for unique shops and local eateries.
  • Take a guided tour of Rethymno to learn more about the Guora Gate and the city's Venetian history.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Guora Gate is located on Ethnikis Antistaseos Street, marking the entrance to Rethymno's Old Town. From most points within the Old Town or the city center, it's easily reachable on foot. As you approach the gate, you'll notice its stone archway. The Rimondi Fountain and Loggia are a short walk away.

  • Public Transport

    Rethymno's public bus system (KTEL) connects the city with other regions of Crete. If arriving by bus from another city, the Rethymno Central Bus Station is a 15-20 minute walk to the Guora Gate. From the bus station, walk along Kountourioti street towards the city center, then turn left onto Ethnikis Antistaseos street. The Guora Gate will be on your right. A local bus from other parts of Rethymno will drop you off in the city center, within easy walking distance of the gate. Bus tickets within Rethymno typically cost around €1-€2.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available in Rethymno. A short taxi ride from the Rethymno Central Bus Station or the Fortezza to the Guora Gate will cost approximately €6-€8. Be sure the driver starts the meter, the base fare is €3.40, and each kilometer is priced at €0.60. Alternatively, you can use ride-hailing apps to book a taxi.

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Discover more about Guora gate

The Guora Gate, or Porta Guora, stands as a proud echo of Rethymno's Venetian past. Constructed during the rule of Rector Giacomo Guoro between 1566 and 1568, the gate was the primary entrance to the city's fortified enclosure. Known locally as "Megali Porta" (Big Gate), it marked the southern entrance to the city. Once part of a robust defense system designed by Michele Sanmicheli, the Guora Gate led to Rethymno's central square, the heart of the city's public life. Here stood important buildings such as the Loggia, Rimondi Fountain, and the Clock Tower. The gate itself was a formidable structure, featuring a gallery perpendicular to the wall's thickness on Ethnikis Antistaseos Street. It originally had an architrave and pediment adorned with the Lion of St. Mark, the emblem of Venice. Today, only the arch of the Guora Gate remains, a testament to the passage of time and the expansion of Rethymno beyond its Venetian walls. The surviving arch, constructed of carved stones, spans 2.6 meters. Though the gate's original height reached 6 meters, only the arch remains. The Lion of St. Mark from the gate's entablature is preserved in two pieces at the Loggia. As you pass through the gate, you're entering the heart of Rethymno's Old Town, where history and modern life intertwine.

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