Historical Folklore Museum of Gavochori

The construction of the Gavalochori Historical Folklore Museum is a distinct representation of the local traditional architecture, unfolding across two levels. The ground floor features an internal courtyard with a “balcony,” an area adorned with arches, auxiliary rooms, and a mezzanine living space.

The initial section of the building dates back to the Venetian occupation, while the mezzanine floor was added during the Turkish occupation. This dwelling was inhabited until the close of the previous century and was generously bequeathed to the Gavalochori community by the heirs of its final residents, George and Maria Stilianakis.

The museum adopts a contemporary approach to display, incorporating explanatory texts, photographs, plans, models, and continually enhancing its collection with new exhibits annually. Its primary objectives revolve around the gathering, preservation, and research of objects related to the cultural traditions of the region.

In Crete, the arched house stands out as a widespread and cherished architectural style. The incorporation of arches in the rectangular ground plan results in four distinct yet functionally independent side rooms, maintaining the overall unity of the space. These rooms serve various purposes, functioning as bedrooms, a kitchen, and additional spaces such as a wine-press area, workroom, or storage room. The kitchen area specifically encompasses the oven and fireplace, strategically positioned under the “updraft” chimney for smoke ventilation.

The furnishings within the house, like the house itself, exude simplicity. They include a loom, chairs, a mirror, a spacious sofa, a chest for the bride’s trousseau, a lamp holder with an oil lamp illuminating the space, a hand mill for wheat grinding, earthenware containers for oil and wine storage, as well as water pitchers and jars. Adding to the versatility of the arched house, a dual-functioning built-in wine press serves both as a grape-pressing facility and a bed during the rest of the year, completing the functional design of this architectural style.

Local silk thread has primarily been employed in domestic handicrafts for crafting both men’s and women’s attire. This includes the intricate detailing of wood-carved iconostasis on men’s clothing, household fabrics, and the decorative framing of family portraits.

Crete boasts a longstanding tradition in the art of pottery spanning many centuries. Various pottery forms evoke the remarkable Minoan models, ranging from small oil lamps and incense burners to jugs, jars, plates, and earthenware basins. The spectrum extends to sizable earthenware jars used for storing oil and wine.

The origin of “Kopaneli” in Crete traces back to the Byzantine era. ‘Kopaneli’ refers to the intricate technique of interweaving numerous threads in a vertical arrangement, wrapped around 14 slender and elongated wooden sticks known as kopanelia.

The extraction and processing of stone form is an integral part of the local traditional craftsmanship. Skilled artisans from Gavalochori adeptly extract and craft the stone, creating masterpieces such as lintels, doorsteps, door and window pilasters, frames, stairs, fireplaces, chimneys, columns, and more. These works stand today as impeccable examples of the artistry in stone sculpturing.

Crete was situated within the direct influence of Constantinople and in fact continued its engagement in religious art even after the Turkish invasion. The woodcarved iconostases in Apokoronas, characterized by a tripartite structure, exhibit post-Byzantine influences and boast exceptional quality.

The impact of Western art, particularly the Renaissance and Baroque periods, is evident both in thematic elements and technique. The method of horizontally sculpting stone representations is replicated, featuring distinctive elements like flowerpots, rosettes, carnations, radial geometric forms, and swirling vines. Crafted from cypress, the woodcarved iconostases in Apokoronas span from 1845 to the end of World War II.

The museum’s historical section features an array of weapons and swords, showcasing the enduring struggles of the Cretans for freedom. A segment of the exhibit is dedicated to drawn paintings and historical lithographs, offering graphic depictions of significant events in Greek and Cretan history.

On display are Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, and Turkish coins, along with coins from the Cretan civilization and those from Syracuse (405-345 BC). Additionally, the collection includes medals awarded to the people of Gavalochori for their valor on the battlefield.