Archaeological Museum of Kissamos

About the museum

The Archaeological Museum of Kissamos is housed in the former Venetian-Ottoman administration building, within the castle of Kastelli Kissamou. The archaeological collection was founded in 1936 by the Philological Society of Kastelli and was displayed in 1937 in two rooms on the ground floor. For years the rest of the building housed public services, such as the justice of the peace, the agricultural office and a library.

In 2000 restoration work began on the administration building and its conversion into a museum, which started operating in September 2006. The exhibition extends over the ground floor and the upper floor and gives a diachronic picture of the wider region from the prehistoric period to Late Antiquity. The finds are presented chronologically, by excavation context and by thematic units.

The upper floor is dedicated to the Roman city of Kissamos, with mosaic floors, sculptures and a sundial from Greco-Roman villas. An electronic presentation is also available on the devastating earthquake of AD 365, which levelled Kissamos.

Highlights

• Mosaic floors and sculptures from Roman Kissamos
• Sundial from a Greco-Roman villa
• Electronic presentation of the earthquake of AD 365
• Restored Venetian-Ottoman administration building inside the castle of Kastelli

Permanent exhibition

• Μόνιμη έκθεση του Αρχαιολογικού Μουσείου Κισάμου – The history of the Kissamos region from the prehistoric period to Late Antiquity, with emphasis on the Roman city on the upper floor.

Founded

1936

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Χανίων

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and the first and third Sunday of each month from 1 November to 31 March.

Free admission and reduced tickets are available to specific categories of visitors, in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Culture.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum has a ramp, a lift and toilets for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the centre of Kissamos, a 42-minute drive from the city of Chania.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit