Μουσείο Αρχαιολογικού Χώρου Ελεύθερνας

Bust of Chieftain Ioannis Kopassis ‘Kouvos’

Chieftain Ioannis Kopassis ‘Kouvos’ is revered as a great hero of the Cretan Revolution, commemorated every November by Livadia, Municipality of Mylopotamos as part of the remembrance events for the Holocaust and the voluntary sacrifice of the Cretans in Arkadi.

Captain Kouvos (1830-1866) met a martyr's fate, enduring horrific tortures at the hands of Turkish soldiers after miraculously surviving the events at Arkadi. He was imprisoned, tortured, mutilated, and ultimately burnt.

Chieftain Ioannis Kopassis ‘Kouvos’ is revered as a great hero of the Cretan Revolution, commemorated every November by Livadia, Municipality of Mylopotamos as part of the remembrance events for the Holocaust and the voluntary sacrifice of the Cretans in Arkadi.

Captain Kouvos (1830-1866) met a martyr's fate, enduring horrific tortures at the hands of Turkish soldiers after miraculously surviving the events at Arkadi. He was imprisoned, tortured, mutilated, and ultimately burnt.

Rethymno

The Natural Sculptures in Chonos

Although Crete assumed its current form around two million years ago, its topography has undergone continuous transformation since then. The predominant rocks on its surface, namely limestone and marble, are of a carbonate nature. Despite their hardness, these rocks are susceptible to gradual dissolution by water over time. This slow yet persistent process of erosion, known as karst, gives rise to various geomorphological features, including plateaus, caves, and depressions.

The village of Chonos in the Psiloritis Geopark presents a remarkable example of surface karst erosion, resulting in unique ‘Natural Sculptures’. Here, water has intricately carved the semblances of droplets, torch-like formations, finger imprints, and towers with pointed peaks into the stone, showcasing the captivating effects of this geological phenomenon.

Photo: M Nikolakakis

Although Crete assumed its current form around two million years ago, its topography has undergone continuous transformation since then. The predominant rocks on its surface, namely limestone and marble, are of a carbonate nature. Despite their hardness, these rocks are susceptible to gradual dissolution by water over time. This slow yet persistent process of erosion, known as karst, gives rise to various geomorphological features, including plateaus, caves, and depressions.

The village of Chonos in the Psiloritis Geopark presents a remarkable example of surface karst erosion, resulting in unique ‘Natural Sculptures’. Here, water has intricately carved the semblances of droplets, torch-like formations, finger imprints, and towers with pointed peaks into the stone, showcasing the captivating effects of this geological phenomenon.

Photo: M Nikolakakis

Rethymno

The Vosakos Folds Open-Air Museum

Can we envision Crete as the bed of an ancient sea? Indeed, such was the case until 23 million years ago, when immense pressures between the lithospheric plates of Eurasia and Africa caused the emergence of the first land.

The tremendous pressures and temperatures that arose during the journey of the rocks from a depth of 35 kilometres to the surface crumpled and deformed them, giving rise to a diverse array of folds (known as the Vosakos Folds). These folds exhibit distinctive features along the route to the Monastery of Vosakos in the Psiloritis Geopark. The intensity of the Vosakos Folds is heightened by the alternations of white pyritic layers with grey marble, often accompanied by impressive cracks.

Consequently, they can be regarded as a world-class open-air geological museum, offering a captivating display along with the scenic landscape of the Geropotamos valley, the charming settlement of Doxaro, the mitata (shepherds’ huts) with their threshing floors, and the remarkable olive trees. This spectacle unfolds along the designated path ascending to the slopes of Kouloukonas, intersecting with the Vosakos road.

Photo: M Nikolakakis

Information: Psiloritis Geopark

Can we envision Crete as the bed of an ancient sea? Indeed, such was the case until 23 million years ago, when immense pressures between the lithospheric plates of Eurasia and Africa caused the emergence of the first land.

The tremendous pressures and temperatures that arose during the journey of the rocks from a depth of 35 kilometres to the surface crumpled and deformed them, giving rise to a diverse array of folds (known as the Vosakos Folds). These folds exhibit distinctive features along the route to the Monastery of Vosakos in the Psiloritis Geopark. The intensity of the Vosakos Folds is heightened by the alternations of white pyritic layers with grey marble, often accompanied by impressive cracks.

Consequently, they can be regarded as a world-class open-air geological museum, offering a captivating display along with the scenic landscape of the Geropotamos valley, the charming settlement of Doxaro, the mitata (shepherds’ huts) with their threshing floors, and the remarkable olive trees. This spectacle unfolds along the designated path ascending to the slopes of Kouloukonas, intersecting with the Vosakos road.

Photo: M Nikolakakis

Information: Psiloritis Geopark

Rethymno

Museum of the Archaeological Site of Eleftherna

It is the first museum associated with an archaeological site in Crete. Its primary objective is to provide a haven for the findings unearthed during the excavations conducted in the ancient city of Eleftherna.

The museum is a verification of the Homeric world in Crete!

Simultaneously, the items showcased in the permanent exhibition undergo periodic updates, incorporating both newly discovered artefacts and older findings from the ongoing excavations.

Eleftherna, Mylopotamos

Rethymno 74052

Tel: 28340 92501

Opening times:

All week 10:00 – 18:00

Tuesday CLOSED

More information HERE

Photo: Wikipedia

It is the first museum associated with an archaeological site in Crete. Its primary objective is to provide a haven for the findings unearthed during the excavations conducted in the ancient city of Eleftherna.

The museum is a verification of the Homeric world in Crete!

Simultaneously, the items showcased in the permanent exhibition undergo periodic updates, incorporating both newly discovered artefacts and older findings from the ongoing excavations.

Eleftherna, Mylopotamos

Rethymno 74052

Tel: 28340 92501

Opening times:

All week 10:00 – 18:00

Tuesday CLOSED

More information HERE

Photo: Wikipedia

Rethymno

Archaeological Site in Axos

The ancient city of Oaxos occupied the region where the present-day village of Axos stands.

Archaeological excavations, initiated by the Italian School of Archaeology in 1899, have unearthed a wealth of remains from this bygone city. Among the discoveries are the Temple of Aphrodite, the Prytaneion, various tombs, and architectural fragments.

Axos continued to thrive into both Roman and Byzantine eras, serving as the seat of a bishopric and hosting numerous churches.

Info: Region of Crete

Photo: Wikipedia

The ancient city of Oaxos occupied the region where the present-day village of Axos stands.

Archaeological excavations, initiated by the Italian School of Archaeology in 1899, have unearthed a wealth of remains from this bygone city. Among the discoveries are the Temple of Aphrodite, the Prytaneion, various tombs, and architectural fragments.

Axos continued to thrive into both Roman and Byzantine eras, serving as the seat of a bishopric and hosting numerous churches.

Info: Region of Crete

Photo: Wikipedia

Rethymno

The Ruins of the Early Christian Basilica of Panormos

In the coastal settlement of Panormos, situated approximately 20 kilometres south of the city of Rethymno, rests a sizable early Christian basilica. According to tradition, it is dedicated to Hagia Sophia, and this name has been bestowed upon the broader surrounding area encompassing the church.

The basilica, originating from the 5^th century, exhibits evidence of at least two additional construction phases—one in the mid-6^th century and another towards the end of the same century. Its demise occurred through violent destruction, probably as a result of the Arab raids of the 7^th century, a fate shared with other basilicas in Crete during this period.

Explore further by visiting the Ministry of Culture’s website.

Photos: Wikipedia

In the coastal settlement of Panormos, situated approximately 20 kilometres south of the city of Rethymno, rests a sizable early Christian basilica. According to tradition, it is dedicated to Hagia Sophia, and this name has been bestowed upon the broader surrounding area encompassing the church.

The basilica, originating from the 5^th century, exhibits evidence of at least two additional construction phases—one in the mid-6^th century and another towards the end of the same century. Its demise occurred through violent destruction, probably as a result of the Arab raids of the 7^th century, a fate shared with other basilicas in Crete during this period.

Explore further by visiting the Ministry of Culture’s website.

Photos: Wikipedia

Rethymno