Visitors of Crete may come to contact with the traditions and customs of Crete, through a large number of museums and collections that intend to highlight the folklore and ethnological tradition of the island. Important collections of bygone eras include utensils related to traditional agriculture, livestock breeding, wedding, christening, birth, architecture, clothing and equipment of traditional Cretan houses.
Excellent collections are met at the museums of Lychnostatis in Hersonissos, Chania, Arolithos by Tylissos, Rethymnon, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, Therisso, Gavalohori, Piskopiano, Somatas, Ini, Asites, Chandras, Palekastro, Vrahassi, Gavdos, Pefki, Hamezi, Mohos, Spili and more. Traditional watermills at Zakros and Chromonastiri are open to visitors. Similarly, venues related to the olive tree include the Museum of Olive in Vouves, the old oil mill (fabrica) of Archanes, Vatolakos, etc.
Special ethnological collections are listed at the Museum of Acritans of Europe at Paleochora and Vori. Maritime and fishing tradition is highlighted at the Naval Museum of Crete and at the Fisheries Museum at Kolimbari. Other notable museums are the Museum of School Life at Nerokouros, the Museum of Musical Instruments at Houdetsi and the Wax Museum of Potamianos in Zoniana.
A little south of the village Listaros, on the road to Kali Limenes and Agiofarago we meet the historic monastery of Panagia Odigitria. The Odigitria Monastery apart from the Minoan antiquities, the Byzantine treasures and the Tower of Xopateras hosts also a wonderful folk museum.
The folk museum of Handras is housed in an old traditional house of the village. The collection consists of everyday objects of the Cretan past, donated by locals.
The Historical and Folklore museum of Kritsotopoula's house is located in the village of Kritsa, at Mirabelo, in the original house of Rodanthi (Kritsotopoula), reviving her amazing story. The folklore exhibition includes objects from the everyday life.
The Folklore and Historical Museum of Neapolis is housed since 2016 in the building of the First Gymnasium of Neapolis and is managed by the Cultural Folklore Society of Ano Mirabello. Its exhibition is composed of relics of the cultural tradition from the province of Mirabello that depict the everyday life after the 19th century.
The Museum - Research and Study Center of the Asia Minor Culture in Chania was inaugurated in 2019 by the Association of Asia Minor of Chania "Agios Polykarpos" in memory of Anna Nikolidaki, in a building granted by the monastery of Agia Triada Tzagarolon.
The Folklore and Historical Museum of Archanes is housed in a beautiful two-story mansion from 1771, near the church of Agios Nikolaos in Ano Archanes.
Beaches
Nature
Past
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Highlights
West CreteCentral CreteEast CreteChaniaPaleochoraKissamosGeorgioupolisChora SfakionLoutroRethymnonAgia GaliniPlakiasSpiliAnogiaHeraklionHersonissosMaliaMatalaAgia Pelagia`ArchanesKokkinos PirgosAgios NikolaosEloundaSitiaIerapetraMakrigialosPalekastroZakrosLassithi Plateau
