MUSEUMS & PLACES OF CULTURE
The Archeological Museum Of Sitia
The long archaeological and historical research at the Sitia area has brought to light rare and valuable finds and information of all civilizations from the Neolithic Age and the Minoan period to the New Age. The civilizations that have flourished the grounds of Sitia, one of the richest areas in archaeological sites internationally have bequeathed us magnificent samples of material and intellectual wealth that are exhibited in the district Museums and Collections.
One of the most important Cretan Museums is located in the Sitia town. In the town’s archaeological museum are placed important finds of Minoan Civilization and other archaic Cretan civilizations. Unique exhibits of the excavations in Zakros, Mochlos, Psira, Palekastro, Itanos, Agia Fotia and other significant Minoan hubs in central Crete present a new experience for the visitor. Many of the exhibits refer to the olive, the vine cutlery, fishing bee- keeping as to other sectors of rural activity.
Private Agricultural Museum "The Cantouna"
It is located 7 km from the town of Sitia in the county of Lassithi and the visitor, following a nature trail that passes by the beautiful spring Zou, with alternating landscapes and old watermills, will have the opportunity to admire an authentic traditional Cretan house, with all the furniture and household items.
Folklore Museum of Palekastro
The first attempt of the establishment of a folklore museum in Palekastro has been started in 1987 by the two cultural unions of Palekastro “Eleia” and “Itanos” with the support of Toplou Monastery and the village Council.
In 1989 an old, dilapidated, traditional Cretan house was bought and immediately started its full renovation. In 1995 with the support of Sitia Development Organization the renovation was completed and right away started the collection of old things of everyday life from the greater province.
Folklore Museum of Pefki
At the highest place of the village, next to the old school (which is not active any more) in a wonderfully kept building logdes the folklore museum of Pefki.
It is consisted of 3 main rooms and you see a lot of things, that don’t exist at the other two richer folklore museums of the area (of Palekastro and of Hamezi). You will find the loom in an excellent condition and some other utensils and tools, as the ones used for the making of the wax light.
The Folklore Museum Of Sitia
The Folklore Museum of Sitia was founded in 1975 by the educational and cultural association “Vintsenzos Kornaros”. It contains many important folklore exhibits; mainly hand woven materials, embroideries, local costumes, furniture.
A large variety of woven products like carpets, rugs, carrying bags, cloaks.
Museum - Show Room of Local Produce
The show room – museum of local produce has recently opened under the auspices of the Sitia Farmers Co-operative. It aims to promote local products, encourage economic development and aid production. Main products are the internationally renowned olive oil “Sitia”, the famous Sitian wine “Topikos” and raki “Varvaki”.
The Museums of The Toplou Monastery
The monasteries of the province serve as museums of very important heirlooms, witnesses of the centuries-old monastic tradition of the region. Within the building complex of the Toplou monastery, there are two very important museums. A museum of icons and books, religious heirlooms and ecclesiastical objects; and a museum of engraving and historical heirlooms. But also the monastery alone is a brilliant and exceptionally interesting monument that has been recently restored.
Zakros Museum Of Water And Hydraulic
Zakros, one of the biggest villages in the Eastern Crete, known for the Minoan Palace in Kato Zakros but also for the abundance of water, the springs and the ravines with plan trees.
The existence of water has always had the most vital part in the inhabitants’ economical and social activities. The structure, the neighborhoods, the inhabitants’ activities have a parallel course with the “water’s path”. A path that has been carved by the force of the movement of water for thousands of years, starting from the biggest spring in Zakros called “Mesa Mylos” reaching the gorge and continuing its course towards the sea.
The settlement was built along the course of water giving it this long shaping which it still has in our days. In the beginning the inhabitants grew only small vegetable gardens for their every day needs but later large expanses with olive trees were cultivated which are today fully irrigated and they produce Zakro’s distinguished olive oil.
People couldn’t leave unexploited the possibility given by water to move the engines they have invented to produce goods and improve their living standards. Therefore having taken advantage of the hydraulic power and the area’s relief people built watermills along this water path in order to grind grain, small factories to produce olive oil and rasotrivia* to process woolen textile.
Woodcarving Museum in Tourtoulous
At the old forge which is currently being used as an exhibition hall after its restoration, displayed the artwork of the popular artist Manolis Th. Perakis- Chalkias (1910-2006). Chalkias, after having subdued iron material as a blacksmith an impressive piece of his work is the handmade quintal, “kandari” (a traditional scale) – he also tried to express himself artisticly working on raw wood material for 35 whole years (from 1971 till his death).
Inspired by nature, Manolis Th. Perakis- Chalkias created various realistic, as well as imaginary shapes. The main raw materials he used were the natural wood of medlar tree (despolia), mandarin tree, orange tree, olive tree, pear tree etc. Some of the artist’s favourite topics are: portraits (Christ’s, Virgin Mary’s), busts of political persons (Eleftherios Venizelos), ornamented useful things, musical instruments ( the lyre and the violin), incomprehensible animal complexes, monstrous birds and supernatural reptiles.