Authentic handicrafts
Thejewels: The jewels exhibited in the Heraklion Museum bear witness to the skill of execution through the splendour of their forms. The seals, worked in gold or in stone, depict scenes from cultural and religious life with astonishing precision. Reproductions of these jewels and objects fill the windows of jewellers' shops in all the major cities of Crete: they are made of gold or silver, and at varying prices. Prefer granulated jewellery: they are more expensive but they are proof of authentic craftsmanship
Cretan knives: Metallurgy, an important and sacred art throughout antiquity, was considerably developed in Crete during the Byzantine period. Under the Venetian and then Ottoman occupation, the import of iron being controlled, the Cretans limited themselves to drawing metal from their reserves to produce only instruments and tools to meet daily needs. It is in this context that the Cretans perfected their know-how concerning the production of knives. Moreover, the island's eventful history has encouraged the Cretans to be constantly armed, which is why knives, a sign of bravery, are among the elements that adorn the traditional costumes of the men. Most of the knives have a refined shape, while the sheath, made of wood, silver or animal horn, is a sign of social status. On the blades of the knives, the Cretans engrave some verses of mandinades. Stepping into a cutlery shop is also an opportunity to admire up close an authentic and handcrafted Cretan product that deserves to be included in the list of memories you want to keep of Crete
Pottery: Going back to the dawn of time, the production of ceramics was a very successful industry in Crete until the end of the 1990s. At the beginning of the last century, in each department of the island, four ceramics centres were established to promote the art and production of ceramics and to perpetuate this know-how to future generations. Initially designed to meet domestic and agricultural needs, ceramics have evolved, adopting original forms and various decorative motifs from Cretan folk art. Do not hesitate, during your stay in Crete, to visit the village Thrapsanó, near Heraklion: it is world-famous for the production of ceramic jars and objects. Otherwise, the specialized shops that can be found all over Crete offer a wide range of utilitarian or decorative terracotta objects that are worth bringing back: vases, ashtrays, crockery, coasters, reproductions of folklore objects, jewellery... Prefer those that are hand-painted: the artist's signature must be visible.
Reproductions of museum works: Most of these reproductions, which are very popular, are made of terracotta, whereas the statuettes are made of synthetic resin, or, less and less, of marble. The most reliable reproductions must be at least 80% true to the prototype and, in this case, are always accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The reproduction of the Phaistos Disc, symbol of a Crete that has not yet revealed all its secrets, can be a good purchase
Greek Byzantine Icons: Prefer specialty shops to tourist shops to buy your copy. It is in these shops that you will find icons, works of artists trained in monasteries or iconographic art schools. These icons are distinguished by their fidelity to the Byzantine tradition both in composition and technique. It is an opportunity to admire at the same time the artistic and spiritual beauty of the Christian East and the peculiarity of Cretan iconography
Kombolo: this kind of small rosary that all Cretans wave in all directions has no religious significance. Some will tell you that it is a simple hobby, an anti-stress or a game, others that it is a tradition whose origin they no longer know too well. Usually made of semi-precious stone, they are also available in wood or plastic, and can be found just about everywhere, in souvenir shops and kiosks. This is the kind of original object that you can bring back from your stay in Crete, for a more or less derisory price.
Wooden objects: Woodcarving was very widespread in Crete: the temples of the churches, the icons and their supports, the chairs, the candelabras but also the furniture of the well-to-do families were the work of talented and very recognized craftsmen. The visitor will discover this art at the foot of Mount Psiloritis: the woodcarver G. Koutantos created, in 2010, the Museum of Woodcarving. This museum tries to preserve an art that is becoming increasingly rare. However, you will also find some hand-carved objects in tourist shops: ladles, forks, coasters and coasters and even chess boards, backgammon or, finally, children's toys of fairly good workmanship. Choose the objects carved on olive wood: they are hardly more expensive but they carry a long history in them
Theproducts of tanners: the most renowned craftsmen are those who make the stivanias, the very characteristic boots worn by men in Crete. A sign of a warlike people, Cretan leather boots are still made to measure and are worn both on special occasions and in everyday life. They cost on average 200 euros, but they are made to last! In Crete, the tanners perpetuate a very long tradition that they have extended to other products: bags, briefcases, wallets, diaries, belts and leather scandals ... very good gift ideas, and for all budgets! While in Rethymnon, visit the workshop of Mr. Aggelakis or that of Mr. Ninirakis, located in the village of Agia Varvara, near Heraklion, and let yourself be tempted by a very nice pair of boots or shoes, created with the know-how of yesteryear.
Women's handicrafts
Embroidery and fabrics: in almost all the old Cretan houses, women spent a large part of their days sitting in front of a vertical loom to cover the family's textile needs. Nowadays, this task, always exclusively for women, has become a job for many of them: the production of cotton, linen and silk fabrics - the latter are mostly red - and woollen kilims, covers both local and tourist demand. The motifs found on these fabrics, hand-embroidered when authentic, remain faithful to Byzantine designs dating back to the 11th century, or are reproductions of pure Cretan folklore. In order to distinguish the patterns of the Cretan tradition, make sure that they are geometric and multicoloured. An unusual souvenir from Crete could be a wall hanging or a small woollen kilim, for example. Otherwise, specialist shops are overflowing with cotton or linen napkins with a border representing an olive branch, tablecloths, bedspreads... There is something for everyone!
Agricultural Products
Olive oil. The production of olive oil in Crete has been present for thousands of years. Already in Minoan times, Crete exported its olive oil to Egypt. Note that 95% of Cretan olive oils are extra virgin, with an acidity level of less than 1%, a guarantee of quality and taste pleasure. An olive oil with low acidity is produced under optimal conditions. Small Cretan villages, such as Zakros in the east, produce renowned organic oils. Many tourists bring back a bottle of olive oil or a jerrycan (easier to transport) from their trip. These are, of course, easily available in Crete. But beware: beautiful bottles do not necessarily contain the best oils!
Thyme honey. Crete, a country rich in aromatic plants, produces honeys with various perfumes and properties. The most precious is the thyme honey, which is processed in a natural way, just like the other honeys where we find the scent of sage, oregano, pine, acacia, strawberry tree, chestnuts, and even citrus fruits grown in the valleys of the island. Cretan beekeepers do not use high temperatures when processing honey, so the vitamins remain intact. The honey is collected from the hives between July and September, which offers the huge opportunity for visitors who flock to Crete in summer to find the honey of their preference at the time of harvest. Very often, along the roads along the villages, one meets the small honey producers. This is the best opportunity to get supplies!
The raki. Sign of friendship, conviviality and sharing, raki is for the Cretans more than an aperitif: it is the expression, quite alcoholic, of their identity and their history. It can be found everywhere in Crete, both in supermarkets and wine shops, and even among the locals. It is a memory that goes without saying.
Spices and herbs. You will find very good spices and, above all, wild dried herbs. Oregano and Cretan thyme add a unique flavour to salads and hot dishes. Mountain tea(tsái tou vounou) and diktamon are drunk as a decoction. You will also find these ingredients in supermarkets, of good quality.
Sponges. They are plentiful in the shops. Don't hesitate to buy one, they are fished in the sea, dried and totally natural. To be used for body care, they can be kept for several years.
