The ongoing plan of projects by the Ministry of Culture for the city and the Regional Unit of Rethymno, primarily including the scheduling of the next stages for the New Archaeological Museum of Rethymno, the progress of the restoration and enhancement works of the Fortezza Fortress, as well as the renewal of the Cultural Development Programming Agreement for the Old Town, was the agenda of the working meeting between the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, the Mayor of Rethymno Giorgos Marinakis, and the Regional Governor of Rethymno Maria Lionis.

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated: “Rethymno is a city with an enormous cultural heritage and, as I have often mentioned, it is ‘neglected’ in the sense that it is the only capital of a Regional Unit in Crete that does not have an Archaeological Museum, despite its unique archaeological wealth. By resolving complex bureaucratic procedures that allowed the use of the specific plot for the construction of the museum, we paved the way together with the Mayor and the Regional Governor four years ago. Today, we are at the stage of completing the studies and are planning the next steps for the project’s funding. The city will acquire a modern Archaeological Museum, a living cultural center, adapted to contemporary museological requirements and the needs of society.”

The meeting also discussed the possibility of better showcasing and utilizing the Fortezza Fortress. “We have made,” noted Lina Mendoni, “a plan based on our shared understanding with the Mayor and the Regional Governor, in order to advance a program for the maturation and enhancement of the buildings of Fortezza, especially the old prison, which, upon the completion of the Archaeological Museum, will be freed from its current use, that of guarding antiquities. After its restoration, it will be repurposed for cultural use.”

Arkadi Monastery

Regarding issues related to the Old Town that fall under the Ministry of Culture, Lina Mendoni stated that the renewal of the programming agreement for the Old Town is a constant topic of discussion between the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Rethymno. Given that the current Programming Agreement expires in about 1.5 years, the Minister of Culture emphasized that the renewal process has already begun, with a medium- to long-term plan in place to highlight the historic center in the best possible way.

After the meeting at the Town Hall, the Minister of Culture conducted an on-site inspection of the entire monastic complex of the Arkadi Monastery, focusing on the necessity to prepare a study for the protection, conservation, and restoration of the specific damages to the monastic complex by the Directorate of Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments of the Ministry of Culture. The Minister requested that priority be given to repairing the damages identified in the Katholikon (main church) and the central wing of the Monastery.

On the occasion of the 160th anniversary of the burning of the Arkadi Monastery, Lina Mendoni announced that in 2026, a systematic collaboration will begin between the National Opera and the Arkadi Monastery to hold an annual musical event in the monastery’s courtyard, organized by the National Opera.

The Minister was accompanied by the Metropolitan of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, Mr. Prodromos; the Mayor of Rethymno, Giorgos Marinakis; the Artistic Director of the National Opera, Giorgos Koumendakis; the Ephor of Antiquities of Rethymno, Eleni Papadopoulou; and other official representatives.