The hill of ancient Eleutherna at the foot of Mount Psiloritis is situated in Crete’s heart.

The town’s position and its relation to the sea created an open society, as revealed by research and excavations carried out by the University of Crete that began in 1985 and continues till today.

Ancient Eleutherna reveals all its secrets from 3000 B.C. till the 14th century A.D. From the excavation of the Orthi Petra necropolis it appears that the Early Iron Age, especially from 900 B.C. till the end of the 6th or the beginning of the 5th century B.C., is the town’s most important period, directly connected to the dawn of the Hellenic civilization. 

The findings of the Orthi Petra necropolis’ excavations are particularly important since they depict Homer’s world: the ritual of funeral pyres described in the “Iliad”, especially Patroclus’ funeral pyre. Also, a society of heroic warriors is outlined. 

This is the first archaeological site museum in Crete and the fourth largest in Greece. It reveals the town’s history from 3000 B.C. till 1300 A.D. with everyday life objects and works of art- masterpieces from Prehistory, the geometric, archaic, classic, Hellenistic, Roman, and early Byzantine years. 

Pots, sculptures, figurines, copper, gold, and iron objects are exhibited. The museum’s emblematic exhibits are accompanied by special films and screenings.

• A room devoted in the historical Battle of Crete.
• Historical uniforms of the Hellenic army.
• Weaponry from the Hellenic revolution of 1821 until 2nd World War.
• Venetian clothing and weapons of the era.
• A room of periodical exhibitions with a collection of photographs from different historical periods.
• The exterior exhibits include warplanes, tanks and different types of artillery guns.