Armeni Archaeological Site: History, and Excavation

Armeni Archaeological Site is an ancient cemetery on Crete that later on became an archaeological site. Dr. Yiannis Tzedakis has been conducting excavations in Armeni since 1969. There have been discovered around 200 chamber tombs and one tholos tomb. All originate from the Late Minoan period. Just like any other archaeological site in Crete, the Armeni Archaeological Site features a rocky physical environment. As Crete in general is dominated by harsh mountains rising out of the sea. Seal stones, jewellery, bronze tools, stone vases, bronze vessels, and pottery are among the artefacts found in the chamber tombs of the Armeni Archaeological Site. Additionally, clay larnakes (coffins) with double axe carvings, bull and hunting scenes, and horns “of consecration” were discovered. The excavation of more than 500 corpses has provided important details regarding the local Minoan population’s nutrition. It has been revealed that locals consumed lots of carbohydrates compared to meat.

Armeni Archaeological Site contributes a significant amount to Crete Tourism. Tourists are welcome at the Armeni Archaeological Site, which allows access to several of the main rock-cut tombs. There is an admission fee of €2 for all the visiting tourists to the Armeni Archaeological Site. However, the number of tourists to the Armeni Archaeological Site drags and attracts a significant number of tourists to the site, contributing to the general tourism of Crete. Although many visitors come for the sun, sea, and sand, there is much more to do in Crete than what is usually included in holiday packages, such as visiting Armeni Archaeological Site for a historic experience. More than 5 million tourists arrived in Crete in 2018, accounting for nearly one-sixth of all visitors to Greece, and 20% of all tourism-related revenue was earned there. There are two routes that will take you to Armeni Archaeological Site from Rethymno. Armeni in which, Armeni Archaeological Site can be found also offers a distinct and playful vibe to its visitors due to its history and archaeological site. Armeni Archaeological Site is a standout stop for exploring Crete Historical Sites, Landmarks, and Points of Interest itinerary as well. Armeni Archaeological Site also has an adjacent tourist destination. For a more exclusive, organised, and time-worthy exploration on the island of Crete especially when visiting archaeological sites, a car rental in Crete is the best option. It will give you ample time to reflect and understand the culture, and appreciate the artefacts, and the history of the place.

What is the history of the Armeni Archaeological Site?

Armeni Archaeological Site is an ancient cemetery on Crete that later on became an archaeological site. About 8 kilometres south of the present-day town of Rethymnon is Armeni, the archaeological site of an ancient Minoan cemetery on the island of Crete. Dr. Yiannis Tzedakis has been conducting excavations in Armeni since 1969. There have been discovered around 200 chamber tombs and one tholos tomb. All originate from the Late Minoan period. Entrance passages, or “dromos”, that begin at ground level and descend to the tomb’s entrance are used to access the chambers. There are differences between the tombs; some have ramps and others have stairs. To support the weight of the earth above, the walls of the dromos were cut such that they are closer to one another at the top than they are at the bottom. The entrances were once shielded by a huge stone, which is typically still there today. A pillar stands in the chamber’s centre in several of the larger tombs. Stone benches carved right from the rock line the walls of one tomb. The excavation of more than 500 corpses has provided important details regarding the local Minoan population’s nutrition.

Where is the Armeni Archaeological Site located?

Armeni Archaeological Site is located 8 kilometres from the modern town of Rethymnon. On the route to Spili and Agia Galini, the Late Minoan cemetery of Armeni is situated eight kilometres south of Rethymnon. Yiannis Tzedakis has been conducting excavations at the site since 1969. The majority of the nearly 200 chamber tombs and one tholos tomb that has been found so far are facing northeast toward the Vryssinas mountain, which once housed a peak sanctuary. The Kouskouras rock, which is rather soft and into which the chamber tombs were carved, was sufficiently hard to preserve the graves. Just like any other archaeological site in Crete, the Armeni Archaeological Site features a rocky physical environment. As Crete in general is dominated by harsh mountains rising out of the sea.

How did the Armeni Archaeological Site excavation go?

Yiannis Tzedakis has been excavating in Armeni since 1969. From the Late Minoan period, more than 200 chamber tombs and one tholos tomb have been discovered. Seal stones, jewellery, tools, stone vases, bronze vessels, ceramics, and seals were among the discoveries from several tombs. Additionally, clay larnakes (coffins) with double axe carvings, bull and hunting scenes, and horns “of consecration” were discovered. The excavation of more than 500 corpses has provided important details regarding the local Minoan population’s nutrition. It has been revealed that locals consumed lots of carbohydrates compared to meat.

What are the artefacts found in the Armeni Archaeological Site?

Seal stones, jewellery, bronze tools, stone vases, bronze vessels, and pottery are among the artefacts found in the chamber tombs of the Armeni Archaeological Site. Additionally, discovered were clay larnakes, a sort of tiny coffin painted with double axes, hunting scenes, and horns of consecration. Both the Rethymno Museum and the Chania Archaeological Museum have these relics on display. Moreover, the excavation of more than 500 corpses has provided important details regarding the local Minoan population’s nutrition. It has been revealed that locals consumed lots of carbohydrates compared to meat.

What is the contribution of the Armeni Archaeological Site to Crete Tourism?

How to get to Armeni Archaeological Site from Rethymno?

Armeni Archaeological Site is located 8 kilometres from the modern town of Rethymnon. There are two routes that will take you to Armeni Archaeological Site from Rethymno, these are via Epar.Od. Rethimou-Agia Galinis and via Vorios Odikos Axonas Kritis/A90/E75 and Epar.Od. Rethimou-Agias Galinis. The first route is via Epar.Od. Rethimou-Agia Galinis. This route will take approximately 13 minutes and will travel 9.3 kilometres. To get to Armeni Archaeological Site via Epar.Od. Rethimou-Agia Galinis route you have to head southwest on Mark Portaliou toward Panepistimiou, continue to Emmanouil Portaliou, continue onto Kountouriotou, slight left onto Dimitrakaki, turn left at Giannari, continue onto Psichountaki, turn left onto G. Kourmouli, continue onto Epar.Od. Rethimou-Agias Galinis and take a sharp right, Armeni Archaeological Site will be on the left. The second route is via Vorios Odikos Axonas Kritis/A90/E75 and Epar.Od. Rethimou-Agias Galinis. This route will take approximately 13 minutes and will travel 12.3 kilometres. To get to Armeni Archaeological Site from Rethymno via Vorios Odikos Axonas Kritis/A90/E75 and Epar.Od. Rethimou-Agias Galinis, head northeast on Mark Portaliou toward Machiton Scholis Chorofilakis, turn right onto Machiton Scholis Chorofilakis, continue onto Leof. Emmanouil Pachla, slight left onto Leof. Machis Kritis (signs for Arkadi), turn right onto Kapetan Giorgi, turn right to merge onto EO Rethimou Irakliou/Vorios Odikos Axonas Kritis/A90/E75, take the exit toward Rethymno (Centre), turn left onto Epar.Od. Rethimou-Agias Galinis, then take a sharp right, Armeni Archaeological Site will be on the left.

What are the nearby attractions in the Armeni Archaeological Site?

A peaceful village called Armeni in North Western Crete is situated about 2 kilometres inland from the sandy Kalives beaches at the mouth of Souda Bay. Armeni in which, Armeni Archaeological Site can also offer a distinct and playful vibe to its visitors due to its history and archaeological site. Armeni Archaeological Site is a standout stop for exploring Crete Historical Sites, Landmarks, Points of Interest itinerary as well. Armeni Archaeological Site also has an adjacent tourist destination.

Listed below are the nearby attractions in the Armeni Archaeological Site.

Rethymno Fortress and Acropolis: The fortress, also known as Fortezza, is the citadel of the city of Rethymno in Crete. It is 9.6 kilometres away from Armeni Archaeological Site. It is situated on a hill which was the site of the ancient Rithymna’s acropolis. During the 10th and 13th centuries, the Byzantines built a fortified settlement to the east of the hill. It was called Castrum Rethemi, and it had 2 square towers and 2 gates. By the beginning of the 20th century, numerous houses were built within the citadel. These houses were demolished after World War II, and only a few historic buildings remain.
Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon: Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon is situated in Saint Francis Church, which is in the heart of Rethymno’s historic district. The Archaeological Museum houses artefacts dating from the Neolithic through the Roman era. The collections contain discoveries from Minoan-era caves, towns, and cemeteries as well as artefacts from the Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman eras that archaeologists discovered during excavations in ancient cities. The boar-tooth helmet, the reliquaries from the post-Minoan cemetery of Armeni, the statue of Aphrodite from Argyroupoli, the seals, and collections of gold jewellery and coins, including some of the earliest navigational tools, are some of the most significant exhibits that you must see.
Preveli Monastery: The jewel of South Crete, the Preveli monastery. It is 24.7 kilometres away from the Armeni Archaeological Site. It consists of two main building complexes, the Lower Monastery of Saint John the Baptist and the Rear (Piso) Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, which is in operation today. The oldest date related to the monastery was 1594. It is also engraved on the bell of the monastery. The Preveli monastery was among the numerous churches destroyed when the Turks occupied Crete in 1649. The Rear Preveli Monastery in Crete is located at the foot of a mountain overlooking the blue Libyan sea.

Can you rent a car to get to the Armeni Archaeological Site?

Yes, renting a car is a necessity to get around Crete, especially when visiting Armeni Archaeological Site. Renting a car when visiting Crete is an advantage to go around the island and maximise time. There are tourist destinations in Crete that public transportation does not stop at. Public transportation sometimes only stops at the nearest station to these attractions, so tourists take a taxi to take them to their destination. Thus, Car Rental Crete should be considered when planning to visit the island, especially when planning to go around different archaeological sites such as Armeni Archaeological Site for a better experience, convenience, and appreciation of the destinations by travelling exclusively.

What are the factors to consider before renting a car in Crete?

There are buses and taxis available that tourists can use to travel around Crete. But another type of transportation is car rental, which is a more private mode of transportation. Car rental, most of the time, is a must when going around and travelling in Crete. Tourists need a car for them to be able to reach tourist destinations they wish to visit. There are different car rental companies that tourists can opt to rent their car in Crete during their stay, thus, it is advised to know How to Choose the Right Car to Rent in Crete. It is a great option for those who want to have private transportation when going to their destination, especially during the pandemic.

Listed below are the things to consider before renting a car in Crete.

Insurance: Make sure that the car has insurance that will cover the damage that may be caused by any possible accidents.
Driver’s Age: The driver should be at least over 21 years old and has a driving licence for at least 12 months.
Driver’s Gender: Some tourists can be picky regarding who will be their driver. The gender of the driver is one of the things that tourists consider, as many people believe that men are better drivers than women. In Greece both men and women can drive without any restrictions
Car Type: There are different car types that are available to be rented. Each type caters to a different number of passengers and the amount of bags they can carry.
Documents: Other than having a driving licence and an ID card or passport, a credit or debit card is a must to rent a car.

How much does it cost to rent a car in Crete?

Crete Car Rental costs depend on how many days that car will be rented, the number of passengers, and the type of car that will be rented. Crete Car Rental for a week can cost around €250. Day trips and night trips in Crete will cost about €30 to €40. It can be used for a week with unlimited mileage and four-seaters. The rental cars are manual transmission, air-conditioned, and have four doors. The rented car should be returned to the company with the same amount of fuel as at the start of the trip to avoid charges.

Is car rental insurance required?

Yes, car rental insurance is required. You are liable for any damage you cause to a rented car if you don’t have insurance. The minimum liability insurance required by the car rental company is typically included with the cost of the rental. However, it does not cover damage to the vehicle that was caused by you. In actuality, whether it comes through the rental vehicle business, your car insurance, your credit card, or an independent insurer, you should have some sort of insurance on your rented car. Accidents do occur, and if you are uninsured or your insurance policy’s coverage limitations are exceeded, you may be stuck footing the price. Thus, Car rental insurance coverage in Crete is highly required. Car Rental Crete offers an easy way of renting a vehicle. One just needs to check out their website and follow the procedures. When renting a car in Crete, it is advisable to note the important factors.

Last updated on October 22nd, 2024