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Archaeological Museum of Rethymno: A Venetian church filled with ancient masterpieces

Museum

Opening hours View Hours
Rethymno, GR Get Directions

A new, state-of-the-art museum is set to house the archaeological treasures of Rethymno’s Regional Unit; however, until it is completed, part of the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno’s collection is temporarily housed in the Venetian church of Saint Francis, which belonged to a 16th century Franciscan monastery.

You’ll inevitably find yourself here, as the church is located in the heart of the old town, with exhibits ranging from the Paleolithic to the Venetian period.

The finds from a workshop in the Minoan settlement of Chamelevri offer the first great surprise, showcasing a developed perfume industry in Crete as early as 2000 BC.

A helmet made of 93 tusks draws attention to the Late Minoan cemetery of Armenoi, where several stunning larnakes with colourful painted decoration were also discovered. Not to be missed are the marble Roman statues from ancient Lappa, with a sensual Aphrodite featuring a voluptuous hairdo and garments draped in masterful folds being the standout.

Directions

4 Agiou Fragkiskou Street
74131, Rethymno

Get directions

On foot

15 minutes from the intercity (KTEL) bus station 
10 minutes from the Fortezza 
5 minutes from the Venetian harbor
5 minutes from the Tessaron Martiron Square bus stop

Opening hours

Summer hours

April 1 – October 31

Mon: 09:00 – 17:00
Tue: Closed
Wed: 09:00 – 17:00
Thu: 09:00 – 17:00
Fri: 09:00 – 17:00
Sat: 09:00 – 19:00
Sun: 09:00 – 17:00

Winter hours

November 1 – March 31

Mon: 08:30 – 15:30
Tue: Closed
Wed: 08:30 – 15:30
Thu: 08:30 – 15:30
Fri: 08:30 – 15:30
Sat: 08:30 – 15:30
Sun: 08:30 – 15:30

Last admission: 20 minutes before closing time



The site remains closed on the following dates and public holidays:
January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, December 25 & 26.

Tickets

Full: €5.00
Reduced: €3.00

Admission is free on March 6, April 18, May 18, the last weekend of September, on October 28, as well as on the first and third Sunday of each month between November 1 and March 31.

Amenities

WiFi
Accessibility

Contact

Guardhouse of the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno
Τ: +30 28310 27506

Ephorate of Antiquities of Rethymno
Τ: +30 28310 23653
Ε: efareth@culture.gr

See also

Museum of Ancient Eleutherna: Homer in Crete

Museum of Ancient Eleutherna
Archaeological Site

Monastiraki, Rethymno: Traversing space and time

Monastiraki, Rethymno
Archaeological Site

Armenoi Necropolis: An invaluable Late Minoan cemetery

Armenoi Necropolis
Archaeological Site
Hellenic Heritage
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