17°C
The Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos was founded in 1970 in order to display the archaeological finds from Eastern Crete, which until then had to be taken to the Museum of Heraklion. The collection includes objects dating from the Neolithic Age tothe end of the Graeco-Roman period.
The museum is divided into eight halls, where visitors can grasp the development of art in the region through time, by seeing characteristic artefacts of different styles and from successive eras.
The most remarkable find in the first hall is a phallus-shaped figurine from the Pelekita Cave near Zakros. Various artefacts found in 1971 in the prehistoric seaside cemetery of Agia Fotia, are also on display. This cemetery, which is so far the largest from prehistoric Crete in number of graves, and one of the largest in Greece, had at least 260 tombs that yielded more than 1.600 vessels, a few bronze daggers and numerous obsidian blades (3000-2300 BC).
Moving on to the second hall, one can see the “Goddess of Myrtos”, the most famous artefact of the museum, which is an exquisite libation vessel representing a stylized goddess. It has a very small head, a tall, thin neck and a bell-shaped body; the “goddess” holds a small beaked pitcher (which is essentially the spout of the vessel) with the right hand, supporting it with the left. In the same room one can also see a large number of gold jewellery items and many stone vessels found in an Early Minoan cemetery (2600-2000 BC).
In the fifth hall, one can seeseveral sarcophagi of the Neopalatial (1700-1450 BC) and the Post-Palatial (1450-1170 ΒC) period. A child burial in a pithos, dating from the end of the Bronze Age, is the most remarkable exhibit of the sixth hall. Numerous Late Minoan ceramics and bronze daggers can also be seen in the same room.
The seventh hall is dedicated to the Geometrical period and the Archaic era, while in the eighth hall one can admire finds of the Classical period and the Hellenistic years.
The skull of a young athlete wearing a golden wreath with stylized olive leafs, is considered as one of the most remarkable exhibits of the museum. It was discovered in a Roman cemetery of the 1st century AD, at the location of Potamos, in present-day Agios Nikolaos.
Museum
Archaeological
Κωνσταντίνου Παλαιολόγου 74, 72100 Άγιος Νικόλαος
28410 24943
1st April – 31st October
Monday – Sunday: 08:30 – 15:30
Tuesday: Closed
1st November – 31st March
Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 14:30
Saturday – Sunday: 08:30 – 15:30
Tuesday: Closed
The Rural Greece is an online portal that connects travellers with unique destinations and local businesses in the countryside, offering authentic experiences through activities that highlight nature, traditions and culture.
For the Rural Greece accessibility is fundamental to enhancing an inclusive tourism experience. Following the principles of inclusion and equality, the epaithros Rural Tourism Network and its member businesses are constantly working to enhance the tourism services provided, ensuring that all visitors have the opportunity to experience the authentic beauty of the Greek countryside.
Sustainability in tourism refers to a way of developing tourism that respects and protects the environment while strengthening the local economy and preserving cultural traditions. The aim of sustainable tourism is to provide unique and authentic experiences for visitors without harming the natural and social environment, while ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism activity.
This type of tourism is based on three pillars:
With sustainable tourism, visitors can have authentic experiences, knowing that the impact of tourism on the region is positive and lasting for future generations.
For Rural Greece, localism is one of the most important factors for the development of sustainable tourism, as it promotes a strong link between the tourism product and the local society, economy and culture. Through localism, visitors get the opportunity to explore authentic elements of the destination, such as local products, traditions and culture. This not only boosts the local economy, but also helps to sustain and strengthen local businesses, creating new jobs and supporting the development of local communities.
Furthermore, localism contributes to the sustainability of the tourism sector, as it reduces the use of resources from other regions and encourages the use of local goods and services, reducing the ecological footprint of tourism activities. Thus, integrating localism into tourism practices enhances sustainability awareness, both among visitors and local businesses, creating a more responsible and sustainable tourism destination.
