Archaeological museum of Rethymno

The Archaeological Museum of Rethymno is housed in a former Turkish pentagonal building near the Fortezza fortress and displays collections spanning from the Neolithic period to Roman times. Inside you will find artifacts of various types, including pottery, sculptures, and objects from multiple ancient sites throughout the region.

The building was originally constructed as part of the city's defenses and later served as a state prison until 1960. This transformation reveals how the structure adapted to the changing political and military needs of the city across different periods.

The collection displays Minoan objects from different ancient settlements across the Rethymno region, including clay vessels with hunting scenes, marble statues, and religious items. These pieces reveal how people lived and what they valued in their daily and spiritual lives thousands of years ago.

The museum is located near the Fortezza and is easily reached on foot by walking through the old town. The best time to visit is in the morning when there are fewer crowds and the galleries are more comfortable to explore.

The collection includes an ancient Greek inscription in boustrophedon script that records laws against excessive drinking from the old city of Eleftherna, dating to around 600-450 BC. This rare inscription reveals that ancient Greeks already had rules for responsible drinking habits.