Museums and cultural highlights in Rethymno
In the Prefecture of Rethymno, as evidenced by the findings and the inscriptions, there seems to have been presence from the Neolithic Age. Over the centuries, the area of Rethymno has had times of flourishing and bequeathed to the newest important cultural monuments. The real renaissance for Rethymno, though, came during the Venetian domination. Today a visit to the Fortezza or the museums of the town will make you travel back to the picturesque Prefecture of Rethymno, as if time had never passed…
Paleontological Museum
Satha & Markellou Str
It is housed in the Veli Pasha Mosque or Mastaba Mosque and operates as part of the Goulandris Natural History Museum in Crete.. The Museum exhibition offers visitors various brief stops along the history of Crete in the past 300,000,000 years. Fossils of invertebrates from Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic sea deposits in Crete, along with texts, drawings, maps and information inform visitors about the geological treasures of Crete. In the museum are shown bones of Pleistocenic native elephants which are of special interest, as well as material regarding the deers in Crete.
Tel: +302831023083
Email: info@gnhm.gr
For current opening hours and admission details, contact the venue before visiting.
Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon
4, Agiou Fragiskou Str
It is located at the center of Rethymno’s historic center in Saint Francis Church. It hosts findings from the Neolithic Age to the era of Roman rule. The collections include findings from caves, settlements, and cemeteries of the Minoan Era, as well as objects from the Geometric, Archaic, Classic, Hellenistic and Roman eras brought to light by archaeologists during excavations in ancient cities. Some of the most important exhibits that you must see are the helmet which is covered in boar teeth and the reliquaries from the post-Minoan era cemetery of Armeni, the statue of Aphrodite from Argiroupoli, the seals and collections of golden jewellery and coins.
Info tel.: 28310 54668.
For current opening hours and admission details, contact the venue before visiting.
The Fortezza of Rethymnon
This Venetian castle is until this day a trademark of Rethymno and for years it has been hosting plays, music and dance events, but also painting exhibitions, conferences and film shows. The castle is uninhabited and the most important buildings in it are constantly renovated. Take the chance to make a walk in the castle and enjoy the panoramic view of Rethymno from above and of the deep blue Cretan sea.
Info tel.: 28310 28101
For current opening hours and admission details, contact the venue before visiting.
Ecclesiastical Museum
Tompazi Str, opposite the Cathedral
The exhibition of the Museum will introduce you to the ecclesiastical and cultural heritage of Rethymno. At the museum you will find 152 exhibits like carved screens, ornaments, habits, icons and manuscripts. An old clock, an original lithographic print of A. Vevelakis and the plate in relief dating back to 1816 and showing the two-headed eagle ( the oldest exhibit of the museum), are some of the items that will attract your attention.
Info tel.: 28310 22788
For current opening hours and admission details, contact the venue before visiting.
History and Folk Art Museum of Rethymnon
28, M. Vernadou Str
The museum is housed in a Venetian building of the 17th Century, which has been characterized as a protected monument by the Ministry of Culture. You will see beautiful collections of traditional handicrafts and textiles, baskets, ceramics, historic heirlooms, documents, photographs, banners, maps, arms, coins, as well as interesting architectural elements like the stone staircase in the courtyard, the hall with the two rows of Venetian windows and the kitchen with the chimney.
Info tel.: 28310 23398
For current opening hours and admission details, contact the venue before visiting.
Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete
32, Mesologiou Str
The Municipal Gallery ‘L. Kanakakis’ was founded in 1992. It is housed in a Venetian building, dating from the beginning of the 20th century in one of the first industrial areas of Crete. Today is Crete’s Museum of Contemporary Art, of high standards, exhibiting old and new examples of Greek artists. Its permanent collection, of approximately 500 works includes paintings of Lefteris Kanakakis (oil, drawings, aquarelles) covering all his work. The work of various contemporary artists is also presented, depicting a wide spectrum of the Greek modern art since the 1950’s.
Tel. 2831052530
For current opening hours and admission details, contact the venue before visiting.
web site: www.cca.gr
Plan a visit to the museums with the Municipality of Rethymno’s museum guide. For the Archaeological Museum, consult the official museum information. Explore our Fortezza guide and hotel location to plan your time in the Old Town.