Museums Hidden gem

Military Museum of Chromonastiri

Rethymno, Rethymno · Free

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

About

Military history in a Venetian villa.

The Military Museum of Chromonastiri is located in a restored Venetian villa in the village of Chromonastiri, about 10 km south of Rethymno. It opened in 2010 and shows the military history of Crete, from the revolts against the Ottomans to WWII.

The collection includes weapons, uniforms, documents and photos.

Chromonastiri is a traditional village about 11 km south-east of Rethymno, at about 360 m on the slopes of Mount Vrisinas. Venetian buildings are scattered throughout the village, and it has won awards for being clean and well kept. The museum's villa is one of the finest Venetian buildings in the area.

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.

Around Rethymno

Nearest town: Rethymno, about 7 km by road
Nearest airport: Chania airport (CHQ), about 52 km by road

Rethymno sits between the mountains and two seas, and it is the easiest region to combine with the rest of the island. Its old town and Fortezza are among the best preserved on Crete, with Venetian doorways, Ottoman wooden balconies and a long sandy beach right next to the centre. More about Rethymno