Crete, Rethymno (regional unit), Crete

A unique, fully restored, early 19th Century Manor next to a landmark of the Old Town of Rethymno, the Rimondi Fountain. This 193 sqm three-storey Manor on a 115 sqm plot was originally built in two phases: the ground floor dates back to the early 19th Century, the Ottoman rule days, while the upper floors were originally built in the post-WW II period, in the 1950s. The ground floor now offers an open-plan dining/living room and kitchen (approximately 45 sqm in total), as well as a guest WC. The first floor houses two bedrooms, both with en-suite bathrooms and a corridor where the laundry closet is located. The balconies on the floor face the Rimondi Venetian Fountain, one of Rethymno's most notable landmarks. The second floor offers one more bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a kitchenette, while its balconies face both the fountain as well as the inner courtyard of the manor. Although the building's character has been preserved, its restoration introduced several modern amenities, such as the double-glazed wooden energy panels fitted with shutters and the fan-coil heat pump, which provides heating and cooling in all spaces of the manor. The Restoration Process The project involved restoring and redesigning the interior of a three-story, 19th-century residence in Rethymno's Old Town near the iconic Rimondi Fountain.The restoration preserved all original architectural elements. The exterior was restored by replacing the eroded coatings with earthy-toned, water-based pozzolanic mortar and reinforcing the walls with grout. All openings on the facade were maintained, while two more were added, facing the inner courtyard, for natural light. All window frames were replaced with modern wooden panelled ones. The three-pitch roof was repaired using wooden trusses, beams, and tiles arranged to match the original structure. The rectangular doorway from the courtyard to the house, with its triangular masonry cladding, is the main architectural feature emphasized in the restoration. All floors are covered with beige limestone, similar to that of the Rimondi Fountain. Earthy, light colours were used for the fixed interior elements. The furniture was selected to complement the restored spaces and add a vibrant ambience to them. Rental Potential Rethymno is among the most popular destinations in Greece, enjoying an extended season which begins mid-March and ends well into the last weeks of November. It is served by both the international airport of Heraklion and that of Chania, the town being roughly mid-way between the other two major urban centres on the island. Rethymno offers all the amenities one would expect from a modern European city and boasts several monuments dating back to the Venetian and Ottoman eras of the city, an Archaeological, Modern Art, Historical, and Paleontological Museum, the latter housed in Veli Pasha Mosque, itself an architectural landmark. The town of Rethymno is itself a cosmopolitan destination on account of its vibrant life, important landmarks and proximity to many sandy beaches along the northern coast of the island. The prime location of the manor, as well as its distinctive character, can command a premium for short-term holiday rentals. Many reputable rental management agencies operating in Rethymno will undertake the management and maintenance of the manor and its bookings. Distances Rethymno Town Center: 0 m Rethymno Beach: 1 km Platanes Beach: 6.5 km Gerani Beach: 8.5 km Chania International Airport: 66 km Chania City Center (& Port): 59 km Heraklion City Center (& Port): 79 km Heraklion International Airport: 83 km