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The “Rustika Melathron”, the life’s work of Kati Karekla and Andreas Fragiadakis, is a unique museum of traditional costumes, located in the village of Roustika, 20 km southwest of Rethymnon. The core of the museum is an exceptional collection of 70 authentic traditional costumes from all geographical regions of Greece, including the irredentist homelands. The collection is accompanied by historical relics, such as the sword of Markos Botsaris, donated by his grandson.
The presentation of the exhibits is museologically curated with respect to their geographical, social and historical origins. The museum is a living centre of folk art and ethnographic research, and hosts the “Mazoxi”, an institutionalized seminar of traditional dances with participants from all over the world.
On 11 acres, the visitor can see the traditional chamber house, the church of Agios Stylianos and the threshing floor of 1843. The 1,200-seat performance hall and traditional tavern complete the experience, offering a holistic approach to Greek cultural tradition.
*The photos are sourced from the museum’s social media.
Collection
Historical, Popular Culture
Rustika Rethymnon (Rustikon Melathron)
+30 2831091244, +30 6979819075, 6908625972
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 15:00
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.
