The Late Minoan cemetery of Armenoi in Prínokefala dates from the 13th to the 12th century BC. It makes Minoan history a tangible part of a stay in Armenoi: the focus is a clearly dated necropolis with numerous excavated tombs. A digital tour also features the cemetery and covers another Minoan site in Amari.
A necropolis with a clearly established date
More than 220 tombs have been excavated in the necropolis; this number may change as research continues. They were family tombs in which several deceased people were buried. The grave goods offer insights into the art, religion, and social organization of the time. The dating places the cemetery in its historical context, while the number of tombs describes the scale of the excavations.
A digital tour of two Minoan sites
A mobile app for Android and iOS offers a themed digital tour of the Protopalatial centre of Monastiraki in Amari and the Minoan cemetery of Armenoi in Rethymno. The cemetery is assigned to the Late Palatial or Postpalatial period. The tour therefore covers two different periods and is not focused on Armenoi alone.
The old olive oil mill
When the old olive oil mill in Armenoi was inaugurated in July 2024, the plan was to subsequently use it as a museum and venue for cultural activities. If you are considering the mill as a possible stop on your itinerary, check in advance whether a visit is possible.
Cultural history in the wider destination of Rethymno
In the wider destination of Rethymno, the Old Town offers another cultural and historical focus. Rethymno’s Old Town is designated as a protected historic monument and a traditional settlement. Its urban layout took shape during the Venetian period and was later altered under Turkish rule. The historic centre lies below the Venetian Fortezza fortress. Thus, the necropolis in Armenoi and the development of a historic town centre in Rethymno offer distinct topics.
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 period to Roman times. Compared with the necropolis of Armenoi, which dates from the 13th to the 12th century BC, the museum covers a much broader chronological span.
The Historical and Folklore Museum offers another cultural perspective in the wider destination of Rethymno: its permanent exhibition presents traditional crafts and folk art across five rooms. The museum is housed in a Venetian mansion dating from the 17th century. Here, the focus is on crafts and folk art, while the necropolis of Armenoi offers primarily archaeological and social insights.
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Back to the wider travel overview: Rethymno.
