Museum Pieces

Many Bugle readers will be familiar with the larger museums on the island such as the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion, which has an internationally renowned collection of artifacts. These museums come ‘top of the list’ as attractions for many visitors, and rightly so. However, the Bugle crew have found that equally rewarding experiences are to be gained from a visit to one of the lesser known local historical collections that are to be found in many of the villages and towns in the region.

One of the more interesting small museums we have come across recently is the Papa Michalis Georgoulakis museum in the village of Asomatos on the South Coast (and many thanks to Dee for bringing this place to our attention). Papa Michalis, who was born in 1921, started collecting all sorts of memorabilia at a very early age. The museum, which gives the visitor a fascinating insight into the traditional Cretan way of life, is housed in the family home, and stretches over eight rooms. You’ll find a highly eclectic! collection of household objects and utensils, a complete Cretan kitchen and office, leaflets, posters and photographs dating from the German occupation, a courtyard festooned with plants and chandeliers, and much more! There is even a small café and museum shop. Highly recommended by the Bugle Team! To get to Asomatos from Rethymnon: Drive South towards Plakias via Koxare and the Kourtaliotou Gorge. Asomatos is the first village you come to after you exit the gorge, and the museum is clearly sign posted. The museum is open from 10 am to 3pm daily throughout the summer.

Contact details: Family Georgoulakis, 74060 Asomatos, Tel: 28320 31158, www.plakias.net

Ecclesiastical Museum, Rethymnon Cathedral

A new ecclesiastical museum has opened near to the official cathedral in Rethymnon. The museum is compact — just one room, but exhibits have been carefully selected and thoughtfully laid out. As one would expect, there are various icons, ecclesiastical vestments and ornaments on display, but the visitor will also find some more unusual items that provide an interesting perspective on the relationship between the church and the community over the last few centuries. Exhibits that caught our eye included official documents from the Ottoman era, a coin collection and votives (metal effigies used as offerings). When we visited, the staff were very helpful, and we were provided with a detailed catalogue of exhibits in English.

Vasileiou Chali 3 (by Metropolis Square). Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am—3pm

Historical and Folk Art Museum, Rethymnon: New Exhibition Halls

Some of our readers will remember that in June last year we wrote a piece about the Historical and Folk Art Museum in Rethymnon. This museum, which is located in a beautifully restored Venetian house in the Old Town, promotes and preserves diverse aspects of the Cretan traditional lifestyle. At the time of our previous visit, two new (additional) exhibition halls were under construction.

The first, a recreation of a traditional Cretan shopping street, has now been open for a while. On display you will find several examples of traditional arts and crafts that have all but died out in modern day Rethymnon. The ethos of the exhibition is to portray Rethymnon as described by renowned local author Pandelis Prevelakis, in his book ‘Tale of a Town’, which was written in 1938.

The second exhibition under construction — a historical timeline of life in the area from Minoan Crete up until the end of the Second World War, is we were recently told, due to open on 15th July (fingers crossed!). Look out for details on the www.rethymnon.biz website.

M. Vernadou 28-30, Tel: 28310 23398, Opening hours: 9.30 am to 2.30pm, except Sundays and holidays.

And Finally: Opening Soon, The Paleontology Museum!

It looks as if the new Goulandris Paleontology Museum, in the restored Mastabas Mosque (Beli Pasha Mosque) will be open to visitors by the end of the month. Creating this new facility for Rethymnon has been an exciting and challenging project, to say the least!

As we reported in November, the new museum is due to be made up of three main sections: an eco-park, an indoor exhibition centre (displaying finds from some of the caves in the region) and a research and accommodation wing. At the time of going to press we didn’t have details about opening hours etc., hopefully we will be able to provide updates next month.