Visiting Archanes - the Archaeological Museum (Part 2)

5 days ago · 3 min read · Archanes Municipal Unit

I am not a big fan of history.
I was a bad student while I was at school and I do not remember so much of what I have learned.
Nonetheless, I always enjoy spending time in Museums.

I find it amazing to be near artifacts that are thousand of years old!

A couple of months ago I visited Archanes Village in Crete and I took sometime to explore the Village (extra link at the end of this post).

As I was walking the lovely streets of the village, ornamented with greens and bougainvillea, I saw a lovely yard with a sculpture. It turned out that it was a museum! I had never heard of that museum and I decided to check it out.

The Archaeological Museum in Archanes, located in the village of Archanes near Heraklion, Crete, offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and culture of ancient Crete, particularly the Minoan civilization. The museum is closely tied to the archaeological work of Yiannis Sakellarakis and Efi Sapouna-Sakellaraki, two renowned Greek archaeologists who conducted extensive excavations in the area.

You may take a look at this short video too:
https://youtube.com/shorts/ssoHaPkE5tc

The museum features rtifacts discovered in Archanes and surrounding areas, including Phourni (Φουρνοί), a Minoan necropolis.

As per the outside signs, Tuesdays it is closed.
I saw online that there is a small price, but when I wanted to see it, they did not ask me to pay.

In the museum you can see many details from Phourni Necropolis which was one of the most important Minoan cemeteries, revealing details about burial customs and beliefs in the afterlife. Additionally, there are artifacts by Anemospilia Sanctuary that is located on the slopes of Mount Juktas, and famous for evidence of human sacrifice, a rare and controversial aspect of Minoan religion.

Looking around the small space, there are many new things to see and for a few moments you may find yourself traveling back in time.

I felt overwhelmed being near people who lost their lives thousands of years before me...

I saw jars and pottery, tools, and weapons that shed light on Minoan daily life and rituals.

Art has always played a significant part in their lives

The museum provides a localized and detailed understanding of the Minoan civilization, complementing the broader exhibits at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. If you come here, you should not miss of course visiting Knossos Palace.

About Sakelarakis (The statue that is in the video)

He was a pioneering Greek archaeologist who, along with his wife Efi Sapouna-Sakellaraki, conducted groundbreaking excavations in Crete.

Their work uncovered critical insights into Minoan religious practices, architecture, and social structures.
The Anemospilia excavation, led by Sakellarakis, revealed an unprecedented view of Minoan rituals and brought international attention to Archanes.