The monastery of Saint Frangiskos is located in Chalidon Street and houses the Archaeological Museum of the city of Chania. It is the largest Venetian temple in the city. Most of the monastery has been altered by the interventions that took place during the Ottoman Empire and by more modern interventions.
On the south side, there was the double gallery where the monks’ cells were housed. On the north side, there was a large garden, part of which is still preserved. The architectural elements of the church vary, and the various interventions that it has received are evident. On the eastern side, the base of the bell is preserved.
According to the chronology of the key to the arch, the Monastery, in 1605, was extended to the east and connected to Chalidon Street. During the Ottoman domination, the monastery extended to the west and turned into Yusuf Pasha Tzamisi.
During World War II, it was used as a warehouse of military material and since 1963 houses the Archaeological Museum.
Archaeological Museum:
Its exhibition is divided into two sections,
- Late Neolithic and Bronze Age find are exposed in the east.
- The antiquity of the Iron Age is exposed in the west.
The museum has findings from the city, the caves and the wider area of Chania (Minoan and Prehistoric times). Pottery, lithography, sealing, sculpture, metallurgy, gold jewelry and coins are chronologically displayed in its windows. Additionally, you will admire mosaic floors of the Roman Empire (2nd – 3rd century AD), depicting scenes from the Dionysian circle and scenes from the myth of Poseidon and the nymph of Amymonis.
You will see Neolithic objects of clay, Minoan of various types, rarely Geometric, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine. You will know the way of life of the people in the past, the burial and religious customs, their professional activities and most importantly, changes that have been made by man since the beginning of his creation.
In 2000, the interesting collection of the Mitsotaki family was donated to the Archaeological Museum of Chania. The exhibits represent 1/3 of the Collection and their presentation follows a chronological order (end of the 4th millennium BC – 3rd century AD).
Museum Open Hours:
The museum opens daily from 08:00 to 20:00, from April to October, except Tuesday.
In the rest of the months, the hours are different.
Contact number: 28210 90334
