Our story
Thirathen Museum was founded in 2012 in Krousonas. Since December 2023 it has welcomed visitors in a restored neoclassical building in the centre of Heraklion, on Rigas Feraios Square, opposite Agios Minas.
It is a non-profit organisation whose full name is “Museum of Traditional Music, Instruments, Research and Documentation”.
The collection
The exhibition extends over two floors: string, percussion and wind instruments from Crete and the Mediterranean. Many of the instruments are available for visitors to try.
The collection was created with funding from AKOMM. The instruments are classified using the Hornbostel–Sachs system, according to how they produce their sound: aerophones, chordophones, membranophones and idiophones.
Our aims
- To introduce the people of the city and visitors from all over the world to Greek traditional music and to the instruments of Greece and the Mediterranean.
- To preserve and carry on traditional music, through seminars and conferences.
- To carry out musicological research and study of Greek traditional music, as a centre for research and documentation.
What we do
Research and documentation
We document the art of instrument makers and musicians. Documentaries on the art of the mandolin and the laouto in Crete, supported by the Region of Crete. Watch them.
Education
Programmes for students and teachers, and lessons with experienced teachers. For schools · Lessons.
Instrument making
We work with instrument makers and run seminars and instrument-making workshops. More.
Live music
Music Wednesdays, concerts and performances in the courtyard. Programme.
Digital access
A digital guide with a QR code on every display case, for those who cannot climb to the first floor or are far away. Digital tour.
Instruments in your hands
At Thirathen, instruments are not just for looking at. You hold them, try them and hear up close how their sound is born.
The workshop
Instrument making
Lyras, laoutos, mandolins and other traditional instruments, handmade to order by experienced Cretan instrument makers.
Ask for a quote for an instrument
Seminars and workshops
Instrument-making seminars and building workshops for adults and children. You will find the upcoming ones in our events.
Research and documentation
Documentaries
“The Art of the Mandolin in Crete” (parts 1 and 2) and “The Art of the Laouto in Crete”, supported by the Region of Crete. “The Art of the Lyra in Crete” is in preparation.
Get to know the museum in 1 minute
Podcast · coming soon
Episode 1: Why “Thirathen”. Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear it.