Fortezza, the Mosque

Fortezza, the Mosque

Next to the Bishop's Palace is the Fortezza mosque with its impressive dome.

It was originally built by the Venetians in the 16th century as the Catholic Cathedral of St Nicholas. Following the fall of Rethymnon to the Turks, it was converted into the Ottoman Mosque of the Sultan Ibrahim Han.

The mosque is a well-made square building with a massive dome and a minaret whose base is the only part still preserved, on the west side. Inside, the mihrab (prayer niche) is set in the centre of the southeast wall, facing Mecca.

Unfortunately the mosque is closed to the public, so we could only just glimpse the mihrab through the window.

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