Archaeological Museum of Rethymno

The Archaeological Museum of Rethymno was founded in 1887, by the Society of the Friends of Education. Today, it is housed in the pentagonal bastion in front of the central, east gate of the Fortezza. This building represents one of the fortified construction works accomplished by the Turks, who chose this location to defend the central entrance to the fortress. The archaeological findings are exhibited in the Museum in archaeological order and include the following collections:
1. Late Neolithic and Early Minoan findings, mainly vessels, tools and figurines from the Gerani and Melidoni caves.
2. Objects of the Middle Minoan period found at the archaeological sites of Monasteraki, Apodoulou and Vryssina. Most interesting in this unit are the collection of seals from Monasteraki and the replica of a settlement from the same area.
3. Finds of the Late Minoan period mainly from the cemetery of Armeni, but also from other areas such as Mastabas, Stavromenos, Pangalochori and Syvritos. The objects include bronze tools and weapons, an impressive serrated helmet, a large variety of ceramics, jewellery and cameos, as well as earthenware figurines, one of which depicts the famous goddess with raised hands from Pangalochori. Earthenware urns with floral and geometrical ornaments, mainly finds from the cemetery of Armeni.
4. Finds of the Geometrical - Archaic Period mainly from the archaeological sites of Axos and Eleftherna.
5. Objects from the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman Periods, mainly from the areas of Stavromenos and Argyroupolis. This unit boasts Roman oil lamps with various depictions, gold jewellery from the area of Stavromenos and glass vessels from the Hellenistic and Roman period.
6. Collection of coins
7. Figurines from Melidoni and Axos as well as pots of unknown origin from the Classical and Hellenistic periods.
8. Inscriptions from the area of Eleftherna
9. Collection of sculptures from the areas of Stavromenos, Eleftherna and Argyroupolis.

Municipal Gallery "L.Kanakakis"

The Municipal Gallery "L. Kanakakis" founded in 1992. From the beginning it was housed in a Venetian building in the heart of the old, historical town of Rethymno, below the Fortezza and the Archaeological Museum (5, Chimaras Street). It houses a permanent exhibition of the work of Lefteris Kanakakis (oil paintings, sketches and aquarelles), thus representing all the stages of his achievements, as well as works of contemporary Greek artists, covering a broad spectrum of modern Greek art accomplished from 1950 until today.

In 1995, the town of Rethymno was incorporated into the National Cultural Network and, as a result, the Centre of Contemporary Art was established, which then proceeded to influence the course of activities of the Gallery with respect to modern art. The Centre of Contemporary Art of Rethymno is initiating dynamic activities in the field of periodic exhibitions of local, national and international interest in co-operation with many supporters, both Greek and foreign. All events are carried out within the framework of parallel activities such as: lectures, educational programmes, speeches, seminars etc. On a similar line the Centre of Contemporary Art- Municipal Gallery "L. Kanakakis" complements its activities with the edition of catalogues and other educational or instructive material. Furthermore, since 1995 art workshops have been operating under the direction of the Centre of Contemporary Art. Work of Lefteris Kanakakis from the collection of the Gallery.

Historical & Folklore Museum

The Historical & Folklore Museum of Rethymno was founded in 1973, with the aim of collecting and starting research on folklore material from the area of Rethymno. Since 1995, it has been housed in a listed urban Venetian building dating back to the 17th century, at 28-30 Vernardou Street. The two-storey building with its interior yard, presents a variety of particularly interesting architectural details. The collections in the Museum come from donations and purchases, include: hand-woven textiles, tools for the art of weaving, embroideries, lacework, ceramics, baskets, items of metalwork, coins, costumes and historical relics. One of the rooms is dedicated to traditional farming and the traditional way of preparing bread in Rethymno, while in another room are the traditional professions of the area. The artefacts are exhibited in units and have explanatory labels in Greek and English.

Other museums in Rethymno

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