Catholicon of the Venetian Monastery of St. Francis | Καθολικό Ενετικής Μονής Αγίου Φραγκίσκου

One exquisite celebration in the first day of Fall. Great costumes , great music and one specific celebrating vibe. On the main street in front of the Catholic church on the way to big square where is one great Orthodox church.

A Silent Witness of Faith, Art, and Time The Catholicon of the Venetian Monastery of St. Francis, located in the heart of Rethymno, is a hidden historical gem that reflects the spiritual and artistic depth of Crete’s Venetian past. Though now in partial ruins, this former Franciscan monastery still exudes an air of majesty, serenity, and sacredness. Built during the Venetian rule (13th–17th century), the monastery once served as a key religious and cultural center in the region. Today, its Gothic arches, vaulted ceilings, and delicate stonework give visitors a beautiful glimpse into the architectural elegance of that era. The site is small but atmospheric, and you’ll appreciate the tranquil setting just steps from the bustling old town. It’s a quiet reminder of how many layers of history lie beneath the surface in Crete - from Venetian monks to Ottoman conquest and beyond. A must-see for lovers of history, architecture, and peaceful reflection. A soulful stop in Rethymno’s old town.

We spend 1 and a half hour and this was one of the best museums of the island. There are so many things to see that you do not know where to look. You are not allowed to make pictures of unpublished artifacts but you are allowed to make pictures of the ones that are published. Everything is documented in Greek and English. 4 Euro entrance per person is cheap. Knossos palace entrance is 16 euro since last year/year and a half.

The museum itself is very small and the wealth of contents limited, though it is a worthy stop if you're in Chania: there are a couple of interesting roman mosaics and the roman glass collection is very good. Some of the pieces cannot be photographed (about 30% of the collection) as they claim they have not been published yet! The museum attendant only let somebody know when a person attempt to take a photograph of those items with a snotty remark "read the small printed description"! A better deterrent would be to put a red A5 sign "do not photograph"! All in all it is about average!

A really incredible museum in the heart of the city. Very well preserved pieces and informative plaques describing each piece in several languages. The architecture of the building itself is especially impressive, and the rose garden is not to be missed! Fair warning, there is no AC!

Artifacts are contained in glass cabinets with good descriptions, dates, and locations where they were found. Spent several hour wondering around. The museum building itself is beautiful if a little hot during midday but a small price to pay. And €4 entry fee was well worth it. Helpful and friendly staff.

It's a little bit small place but displayed precious very ancient times exhibitions. honestly I recommend you go to Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. but if you don't have enough time or stay west side of Crete, you should stop by here! it takes within 40 mins.

Good for a short visit, it would be better experience if something can be done with air conditioning