Opposite the main entrance to the Fortezza is the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno. The artifacts exhibited in the Museum represent the history of the region from the Neolithic until the Roman period. The exhibition is presented in chronological order.

The archaeological Museum of Rethymno was founded in 1887. Since 1991 the Museum is located in the building of the Turkish Bastion. Well fortified, the building served as additional protection for the main entrance to the fortress. Until the 1960s, the building was used as a state prison. Previously, the Museum was housed in the Venetian Loggia.

The Museum exposition is extensive and very diverse. Presented in the Museum: a large collection of ceramics, sculptures, figurines, diverse funerary artifacts, jewelry, household utensils, Roman lamps, stone products, tools and much more.

Among the most interesting exhibits of the Museum include the late Minoan tombs, terracotta figurines, helmet Minoan era, print from Monastiraki, stone jewelry at Gerani cave. Notable artifacts such as Roman copy of the statue "Big herculano" from the ancient city of Eleftherna, a marble statue of Aphrodite (1st century BC), the Minoan statuette of the goddess with raised hands, was found in Panchaloha (1320-1200 BC), head of the female terracotta figurines from AXOS (530 BC). Of special interest is also an excellent collection of coins from different periods and regions, including coins minted in Knossos. In the Museum you can see a marble funerary stele with the image of a warrior, found in Eleftherna, which dates from the second half of 6th century BC marble sarcophagus depicting mythological scenes I-III century BC.

A rich collection of the Archaeological Museum will not leave indifferent even the most experienced lover of history.