Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon

Since 1991, the Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon has been housed in the pentagonal building opposite the main gate of the Fortetsa. The building was constructed by the Turks in an effort to strengthen the city's defence. Due to the different functions that it served over the centuries - until the 1960's it housed the civic prison - its original form has been significantly altered.

The museum contains the following collections:

• Late Neolithic (3500-2900 B.C.) and Early Minoan (2800-2100 B.C.) finds from the caves Gerani, Melidoni, Margeles and Helenes
• finds from the buildings at Apodoulou, Monastiraki and the peak sanctuary at Vrysinas, dated to the Middle Minoan period (2100-1600 B.C.)
• Late Minoan finds (1600-1100 B.C.) from the cemeteries, the most representative being that of Armenoi
• finds of the Geometric (1000-700 B.C.) and Archaic (700-500 B.C.) periods from Eleutherna and Axos
• finds from Stavromenos and Argyroupolis (ancient Lappa) dated to the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Museum of the Preveli Monastery

There are the following collections of the Preveli Monastery

-Collection of icons.

-Collection of ecclesiastical garments.

-Collection of ecclesiastical vessels.

-Collection of heirlooms.

The most important exhibits of the Museum are:

-Sigillium on a parchment declaring the monastery as stauropegion, 1798.

-Gold - plated silver cross with enamels and semi - precious stones 1708.

-Silver bound Evangile, 1807.

-Evangile with gold - plated silver cover, 1847.

-Lectionnary with silver cover, 19th century.

-Gold - plated chalice with cover, 1847.

-Collection of metal seals, 19th century.

-Collection of metal fibulae, 19th century.

-Collection of gold - embroidered vestments, 19th century.

-Collection of ecclesiastical liturgical vessels.

 

SOURCE: Hellenic Ministry of Culture