The past of Gergeri comes to life once again through the valuable collection of the Gergeri Folklore Museum, featuring rare objects from everyday life, tools, woven textiles and traditional household items. The museum reopened to the public on Monday, 18 May 2026 (International Museum Day).

A visit to the renovated Gergeri Folklore Museum, located in the area of the old campsites, is a journey through time, tradition, history, culture and the customs of the region. Visitors have the opportunity to discover authentic exhibits of great folkloric value, learn about professions that have disappeared over time, explore the way of life and daily habits of past generations and connect more closely with the historical heritage of Gergeri.

It is also worth noting that in the same area visitors can find the renovated Gergeri Natural History Museum, the permanent exhibition of Folk Artists “Giorgos Kapsalis”, as well as the Gergeri Rock Theatre.

During the modest inauguration ceremony of the Gergeri Folklore Museum, a blessing was conducted by the parish priests of Gergeri, Fr. Stavros Ximerakis and Fr. Michail Tsakalakis. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was carried out by the president of the Gergeri Local Council, Angeliki Papagiannaki, and the president of the Gergeri Cultural Association, Emmanouil Tsimplostefanakis.

In his brief speech, the Mayor of Gortyna, Michalis Kokolakis, noted among other things:

“We thank and congratulate the people of Gergeri who shared a piece of the history of this place, objects spanning many years — even centuries — which have now found their place in this beautiful and tasteful space. Congratulations to the Cultural Association, the Local Council of Gergeri and the entire local community, which has embraced the Municipality of Gortyna’s effort to highlight this unique area of the old campsites. Our effort continues with the completion of works in the two halls located opposite the Folklore Museum and I hope that, with the support of the local community, we will be able to preserve and enjoy these spaces, both for ourselves and for visitors to the area.”

Among those attending the inauguration of the Gergeri Folklore Museum were regional councillor Manolis Kampourakis, Deputy Mayor of the Rouvas Municipal Unit Stelios Sifakis, municipal councillor Katerina Tsimplostefanaki, the Secretary General of the Municipality of Gortyna Kelly Garefalaki, former Mayor of Rouvas Fanourios Oikonomakis, as well as Konstantinos Kalogiannakis and Stelios Manolioudis, who played a leading role on behalf of the educational community in the creation and first operational phase of the museum. Local councillors, representatives of organisations and residents of Gergeri and the wider area also attended the event.

For more information, visits and guided tours of the Gergeri Folklore Museum and the area’s other museums and cultural venues, interested visitors may contact tel. +30 6944928669 (Ms Georgia Daskalaki).