The Great Tower is a prominent historical landmark in Maroulas. It stands in the highest part of the village, has a rectangular ground plan, and overlooked both the settlement and the plain to the north. Together with Maroulas’s designation as a historically preserved monument, it shapes the cultural character of the destination. For anyone choosing where to stay with historical sites in mind, it offers a concrete point of reference for making a decision.
The History and Landscape of Maroulas
The village’s history also has a datable reference: in 1577, Fr. Barozzi recorded Maroulas under the name Marula in the province of Rethymno. Maroulas is also home to an olive mill. Alongside the Great Tower, it is another distinctive feature of the village. A historical record, a local mill and a prominent building thus represent different aspects of the village’s history.
The Prasiano Gorge runs southwest of Maroulas. This adds a landscape perspective to the village’s historical features: the tower represents its built history, while the gorge offers a distinct natural attraction. Anyone considering a stay in Maroulas can take these different highlights into account when planning their trip.
Rethymno as the Wider Destination
The wider destination of Rethymno adds its own urban cultural history to that of Maroulas. The Old Town of Rethymno is designated as a protected historic monument and a traditional settlement. Its urban layout took shape during the Venetian period and was later altered under Turkish rule. The historic city centre lies below the Venetian Fortezza fortress.
Rethymno’s museums also cover a range of subjects. Since 1991, the Archaeological Museum has been housed in a pentagonal building in front of the main entrance to the Fortezza. Its exhibitions present the history of the prefecture from the Neolithic to Roman times. The Historical and Folklore Museum is housed in a 17th-century Venetian mansion; its permanent exhibition spans five rooms and features traditional crafts and folk art. The Military Museum in Chromonastiri has a room devoted to the historic Battle of Crete. It also displays weapons dating from the Greek Revolution of 1821 to the Second World War.
Archaeological attractions in the wider Rethymno destination range from the ancient city of Eleftherna to the Armeni necropolis. The Museum of the Archaeological Site of Eleftherna is the first archaeological site museum in Crete. Its exhibitions show life in ancient Eleftherna from the late millennia of the 4th millennium BC through the Byzantine period. Excavations in the area of the present-day villages of Eleftherna and Ancient Eleftherna have uncovered significant parts of the ancient city. The Armeni necropolis is an extensive Late Minoan cemetery with more than 220 excavated tombs. These were family tombs containing several deceased people; their grave goods provide information about the art, religion and social organisation of the time.
Rethymno’s landscape offerings also include Rethymno Beach: it is 12 km long, beginning at the historic city centre and extending eastwards to Scaleta. Its sand is fine-grained and light brown. A separate beach is the sandy beach in the Arkadi municipal district, where loggerhead sea turtles nest and systematic protection measures are carried out. Rethymno also offers recurring events for culture enthusiasts: the Renaissance Festival takes place every summer, featuring music, theatre and dance performances as well as art exhibitions. The Rethymno Carnival features an annual parade organised by volunteers. If an event is important to your travel dates, check the dates before planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Roupes, Prines, Mariou, Stavromenos, Erfoi, Platanos, Loutra, Vlichada.
For the wider travel overview: Rethymno.
