DK Travel : Crete : Museums & Galleries

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Dyeing

Dyes are still made from shellfish (purple), madder root (red), walnut shells (dark brown), olive or pomegranate leaves (green), and crocus, marigold or narcissus (yellow).
El Greco Museum

Copies of paintings and biographical material relating to the life of the Cretan-born artist Domenikos Theotokopoulos, better known as El Greco, are displayed in an extensively restored Venetian building in Fodele village, which is claimed to be his birthplace.
Embroidery

Rethymno was a major centre for embroidery, a skill introduced to Crete in the Byzantine era.
Historical and Folk Art Museum, Rethymno

A small museum housed in a Venetian mansion displays relics of a vanished way of life, including colourful woven artifacts, lace, silver jewellery and ceramics.
Historical and Folklore Museum of Gavalochori

This excellent small museum is housed in an old Venetian-Turkish mansion and depicts the history and culture of the village. Highlights include local skills such as silk spinning, masonry and carpentry.
Ierapetra Archaeological Museum

Exhibits include huge clay storage jars (pithoi ), Minoan sarcophagi made of clay (larnakes ) statues, and bronze weapons and tools dating from the time of the Dorian city-states, when Ierapetra became one of the most powerful cities in eastern Crete.
Irakleio Archaeological Museum

The largest museum in Crete, and well worth visiting. Its collection is currently being reorganized, modernized and expanded (see Irakleio Archaeological Museum).
Lace

Silk kopaneli lace is made by bobbin weaving, a skill revived in Gavalochori.
Leatherwork

Everything from shepherds’ boots and mule harnesses to satchels, handbags and sheepskin garments.
Lychnostatis Open Air Museum of Folk Culture

Traditional Cretan ways of life that lasted for centuries only began to die out in recent decades. This lively open-air museum gives some insight into life on the island before tourism, television and the mobile phone. Fascinating exhibits include a windmill and an old stone cottage.