Armenoi: The Late Minoan Necropolis

Armenoi leads into a Late Minoan world whose remains belong to a specific time and place: the Late Minoan cemetery of Armenoi, dating from the 13th to the 12th century BC, lies at Prínokefala. The necropolis gives the area an archaeological focus. At the same time, the view opens onto other cultural sites in the wider Rethymno destination.

The necropolis and its history

More than 220 tombs have been excavated in the Armenoi necropolis. In the Rethymno destination, the tombs also tell of family burials: several deceased people were laid to rest in family tombs. Their grave goods offer insights into the art, religion and social organization of the time. The perspective therefore extends beyond dating, also considering what burial practices and grave goods can reveal about life in that era.

A digital tour of two archaeological sites

A mobile app offers a thematic digital tour of the Protopalatial center of Monastiraki in Amari and the Minoan cemetery of Armenoi in Rethymno. For Armenoi, the tour relates to the Late Palatial and Postpalatial periods. It therefore covers two archaeological sites and different phases of Minoan history, rather than focusing on Armenoi alone. The app is available for Android and iOS.

The inauguration of the old olive mill

The old olive oil mill of Armenoi was inaugurated in 2024 as a museum and venue for cultural activities. Both functions were planned for its subsequent use. If you would like to include the mill in your travel plans, check its current use in advance.

When looking for a holiday rental, you can consider whether the necropolis is your main interest or whether you would like to include several cultural sites in the Rethymno destination. The app tour covers Armenoi together with another archaeological site; if you have specific plans for the old olive oil mill, take its intended use into account.

Rethymno: city history and museums

In the wider Rethymno destination, the old town provides its own historical focus. It is designated as a protected historic monument and a traditional settlement. Its urban layout developed during the Venetian period and was later reshaped under Turkish rule. The historic center lies below the Venetian Fortezza fortress. Thus, alongside the Late Minoan necropolis, the Rethymno destination also offers a focus on urban development and historic architecture.

Since 1991, the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno has been housed in a pentagonal building in front of the main entrance to the Fortezza. Its exhibitions present the history of the prefecture from the Neolithic to the Roman period. The Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymno is housed in a 17th-century Venetian mansion; five rooms in its permanent exhibition showcase traditional crafts and folk art. Together, the museums offer different perspectives: one spans a broad archaeological period, while the other focuses on crafts and folk art.

Coast and seasonal culture in the destination

The coast of Rethymno is also a destination in its own right. Rethymno Beach is 12 km long, begins at the historic city center and stretches east to Scaleta. It has fine-grained, light-brown sand; the municipality's coastline also includes the Venetian harbor. Loggerhead turtles (Caretta-caretta) nest on the sandy beach in the Arkadi municipal district. Systematic measures are carried out to protect them.

If you would like to include cultural events in your travel dates, you can also check the Rethymno destination's event calendar. The Rethymno Renaissance Festival takes place every summer, with music, theater and dance performances as well as art exhibitions. The Rethymno Carnival is a traditional event featuring a parade organized by volunteers each year. For specific travel dates, it is advisable to check event dates.

Discover more destinations: Vlichada, Myrthios, Venio, Pikris, Agia Paraskevi, Episkopi, Erfoi, Margarites.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Rethymno.