RETHYMNO > MUSEUMS

Rethymnon Archaeological Museum

The Rethymnon Archaeological Museum is housed in a pentagon building facing the main gate of the Fortetsas Fort. The building was erected by the Turks to better defend the town. The building has had many uses and was a prison up to the 1960s.

Its collections include:

• relics from the late Neolithic period 3500-2900 BC and the early Minoan period 2800-2100 BC from the caves at Geranou, Melidoni, Margelon and Elenon
• relics from the mid Minoan period 2100-1600 BC, from building complexes at Anodoulou, Monastiraki and the sacred mount of Vrysina
• relics from the late Minoan period 1600-1100 BC from cemeteries of the area such as Armenon
• relics of the Geometric period 1000-700 BC and ancient times of Eleftherna and Axo 700-500 BC
• relics from the Classical, Hellenic and Roman periods from Stavromeno and Argyroupoli, ancient Lappa

The Historical & Folklore Museum

The Historical & Folklore Museum of Rethymnon was founded in 1973 with the aim of collecting and researching local material. Since 1995 the collection has been housed in a Venetian building of the 17th century that is conservation protected.

The collection has been amassed from donations and purchases that include: hand woven textiles, looms and tools used by weavers, embroideries, lace, ceramics, basketry, metalworking tools, coins, garments and other items of historical interest. There is a room dedicated to the traditional cultivation and preparation of the traditional bread of Rethymnon. Another room houses the traditional occupations. The exhibition is complimented with explanatory drawings, diagrams and photographs.

The L Kanakakis Public Gallery

The L Kanakakis Public Gallery was founded in 1922 and housed in a Venetian building in the heart of the old town of Rethymnon, close to the fort and the Archaeological Museum. Its permanent exhibition consists of the works of Lefteri Kanakaki and the works of modern Greek artists from 1950 onwards.

In 1995, Rethymnon was included in the network of the National Cultural Towns with the foundation of the Modern Fine Art Representation & Creation Centre directing its studies and workshops to modern art.

Sea Life Museum

The Sea Life Museum is located in the old town of Rethymnon and offers insight into the life under the sea and the seabed with exhibitions of sponges, types of fish and fossils.

Ecclesiastical Museum

The Ecclesiastical Museum was founded in 1994 and is located in Cathedral Square. Its collection includes ecclesiastical articles from 1816 onwards as icons, bells, utensils as well as the clock that was housed in the cathedral tower from 1894 to 1986.