Archaeology, memory, and light at the foot of Mt Ida
At the foot of Mt Ida, a few kilometres from Rethymno, the Museum of Ancient Eleutherna invites visitors on a journey to the heart of ancient Crete. Built near the ancient city that shares its name, the museum is a model of how an archaeological site is presented in direct relation to its finds.
Eleutherna was an important city from the Geometric period to the Byzantine era, with a long history and a unique cultural peak. The excavation works of the University of Crete brought to light homes, sanctuaries, and burial sites that bear witness to the continuity of Greek civilization since the age of Homer.
In the Museum, three thematic halls tell the story of the lives of local inhabitants: daily life and social organisation, cults and sanctuaries, as well as burial customs through the finds of the necropolis of Orthi Petra. The renowned female figures of the 8th century BC, the bronze breastplate from the Tomb of the Warriors, and artefacts that link Homeric references to real events stand out.
The architectural design of the Museum blends into the landscape harmoniously, with expansive glass surfaces that allow light and nature to become part of the experience. Visitors can combine a tour of the Museum with a stroll along the trails that lead to the archaeological site, all the while taking in views of Mt Ida and the gorge. The Museum regularly hosts important periodic exhibitions.
Eleutherna was an important city from the Geometric period to the Byzantine era, with a long history and a unique cultural peak. The excavation works of the University of Crete brought to light homes, sanctuaries, and burial sites that bear witness to the continuity of Greek civilization since the age of Homer.
In the Museum, three thematic halls tell the story of the lives of local inhabitants: daily life and social organisation, cults and sanctuaries, as well as burial customs through the finds of the necropolis of Orthi Petra. The renowned female figures of the 8th century BC, the bronze breastplate from the Tomb of the Warriors, and artefacts that link Homeric references to real events stand out.
The architectural design of the Museum blends into the landscape harmoniously, with expansive glass surfaces that allow light and nature to become part of the experience. Visitors can combine a tour of the Museum with a stroll along the trails that lead to the archaeological site, all the while taking in views of Mt Ida and the gorge. The Museum regularly hosts important periodic exhibitions.
