Archaeological Museum of Rethymno

About

Finds from the Rethymno area.

The Archaeological Museum of Rethymno is currently housed in the Venetian church of Saint Francis in the old town, while its new building is being prepared. It shows finds from the Rethymno region, from Neolithic times to the Roman period.

The collection includes Minoan pottery, clay coffins (larnakes), statues, coins and jewellery, with highlights from sites like Eleftherna and the cemetery of Armeni.

The church of Saint Francis was built by the Venetian Barozzi family around 1530, and its architecture is a fine example of Venetian style. The museum is small, which makes it easy to visit in half an hour, but the finds are interesting and well chosen. It's right in the old town, so combine it with a walk around the lanes.

The area around Rethymno town mixes a lively Venetian old town with a long sandy coast and quiet villages in the hills. To the east, the beach runs for kilometres past Platanes and Adelianos Kampos, where loggerhead turtles nest in summer. Inland, villages such as Chromonastiri, Myloi, Atsipopoulo and Maroulas have old Venetian houses and tavernas with views. The Arkadi monastery and ancient Eleftherna are less than half an hour away. Try the local snails, staka with eggs and the town's famous pastries.

Anreise

In Rethymno itself, easy to reach on foot.

On the map

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