Explorer Rethymno: Neratze Mosque (Municipal Conservatory) 🕌

The **Neratze Mosque** (or Gazi Hussein Pasha Mosque), which today operates as the **Municipal Conservatory** and **Concert Hall** of Rethymno, is one of the most impressive and historical monuments in the Old Town, embodying the succession of civilizations in Crete.

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📜 Historical Evolution: From Church to Mosque

The history of the building begins during the **Venetian period**:

• **Venetian Period (pre-1646):** The building was constructed as the **Catholic Church of the Augustinian Monastery** and was dedicated to **Santa Maria** (Holy Mary). Its entrance doorway is a characteristic example of **Renaissance architecture** and is considered one of the most impressive in Rethymno.
• **Ottoman Period (1646 – 1924):** After the capture of the city by the Ottomans (1646), the church was converted into a mosque, dedicated to the city's conqueror, **Gazi Hussein Pasha**. The tiled roof was replaced by **three semicircular domes** (troúli), a typical Ottoman architectural element. A seminary also operated next to it.
• **Contemporary Use (Post-1924):** Following the population exchange, the building ceased to function as a place of worship. Since 1957, it has housed the **Municipal Conservatory** of Rethymno and is used as the main **hall for concerts and cultural events**, famous for its excellent acoustics.

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🏰 Architectural Features & The Minaret

The Neratze Mosque is a rectangular building that combines elements from two eras:

• **Renaissance Doorway:** The main entrance on the north side is preserved from the Venetian church and features elaborate Renaissance decoration.
• **Domes:** The **three domes** on the roof are the most visible change made during its conversion into a mosque.
• **The Minaret:** The most characteristic external feature is the **imposing minaret**, which was added in **1890** by engineer Georgios Daskalakis. With **two balconies** (saráfia), it is the **tallest** minaret in the Old Town of Rethymno and forms an integral part of the city's skyline.

The Neratze Mosque, with its triple historical identity, today stands as a living symbol of Rethymno's multicultural heritage.

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