The
museum
was founded in 1967 and was inaugurated in September 1993.
It is housed in a building which is a characteristic example of local traditional architecture
and stands on two levels. There is a ground floor with a verandah, an inside courtyard, an
arched house proper, with its utility areas and a first floor with an "odas" or large room. Part
of the building was built during the venetian occupation, while the first floor was built during
the Ottoman rule. The building served as a private home until the end of the 19th century and
was donated to the community of Gavalochori by George and Maria Stylianaki.
The objects on display follow the contemporary museological concepts, with
explanatory texts, photographs, drawings and models, while new exhibits are added each year.
The Museum comprises seven exhibition halls, divided into the following units: The Arched House,
Silk, Pottery, Lace-making, Masonary and Stone carving, Church and Woodcarving.
In the historical section of the Museum are exhibited guns and swords from the lengthy
struggles of the Cretans for their freedom; also a small part of the collection of paintings and historical
lithographs in which are depicted some of the most significant events of the national and regional history,
coins (Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, Turkish, coins of the Cretan State and and an ancient Syracusan coin
(405-345 BC). Also medals won on the fields of battle by the citizens of Gavalochori.
Some of the most important exhibits of the museum are:
Venetian silver coins.
Popular lithograph entitled "The triumph of Hellenism".
Popular lithograph entitled "Greece freeing Macedonia".
