Archaeological Collection of Malevizi

The Archaeological Collection of Malevizi is located in Gazi, in the central square, and is housed in a special room of the Municipal Hall.

The Archaeological Collection is divided into seven sections and the exhibits are presented chronologically. Each section is accompanied by a bilingual (Greek-English) explanatory table that places the exhibits in their chronological and cultural context.

The Archaeological Collection of Malevizi displays ancient objects dating back to all periods of Cretan antiquity and is displayed in approximately 40 display cases. The majority of the exhibits come from the Metaxas Collection, which was maintained by the businessman Nikolaos Metaxas from 1959 to 1997. Thirty more ancient objects come from mainly recent excavations in the wider area of the Municipality. The totality of the findings indeed creates a clear picture of the ancient Cretan civilization, with examples from almost all forms of art, which date back to all periods of the history of Crete, from 4000 BC to the 2nd century AD.

The first section encountered by those entering the Museum contains stone artefacts. It includes stone tools, vessels and other objects from the Neolithic to the Minoan period.

The Second Section, which is also the largest, is dedicated to Ceramics and includes vases of all types and periods. An impressive exhibit in the same section is the clay pottery wheel on which the vases were molded. A gigantic jar from the Archaic period, with representations of people and horses, dominates the back of the room.

The third section includes Clay Sculpture. Dozens of clay statuettes of people, men and women, mortals and deities, animals and replicas of objects, from sanctuaries and tombs, dating from the Minoan to the Roman era, are exhibited here.

The Fourth Section refers to Sculpture and includes marble objects and parts of statues, mainly from the Roman period. Also impressive is the marble vase from the Classical period found in the same section.

The fifth section exhibits finds from the area of the Municipality of Malevizi, which are the only exhibits that do not come from the Metaxas Collection. Here one can see impressive vases and figurines from Gazi, Krousonas and Kavrochori. The section of the Malevizi area also includes an impressive Minoan Sarcophagus from Tylisos, with excellent painted decoration that dominates the center of the room.

The Sixth Section consists of a large display case with Metal objects. It exhibits weapons such as arrows, spears and knives, tools and jewelry from all periods of Cretan Culture.

The seventh and final section contains ancient jewelry. It exhibits impressive stone and gold necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets from the Minoan era and later times, which impress the visitor with their art.