Iraklion Archaelogical Museum It houses the most important and representative finds of the Minoan civilization. The museum today has twenty rooms in all, containing artefacts from the palaces, houses, tombs and caves in Crete. The exhibiton of the museum is organized in chronological order, ranging from the Neolithic period to the Roman era (4th century A.D.) and geographically, according to the provenance of the finds. There are, though, several groups of finds exhibited in separate rooms: All the LM III sarcophagi are displayed in room XIII, the Minoan frescoes in rooms XIV-XVI and the sculptures (reliefs, statues and architectural parts) in rooms XIX-XX. The St. Giamalakis collection which was bought by the Greek State in 1962 is now on display in room XVII. A collection of inscriptions is exhibited in a fenced, sheltered open space opposite the museum. The archaeological collection of Archanes. The "Glyptotheke" of Gortyn, which is exhibited at the archaeological site of Gortyn. The most important items of the exhibition are:
The "Snake Goddesses". Faience figurines of the so-called "Snake-Goddess", from the Palace of Knossos. Typical features of these religious figurines are the upraised or stretched arms wielding the crawling snakes, the thin-waisted bodice which left the breasts bare, and the characteristic, flounced skirt with the apron. They are outstanding specimens of Minoan miniature sculpture, dated to the MM III-LM IA period (17th-16th centuries B.C.).
Rock-crystal rhyton. Exquisite small rhyton (libation vessel) from the Palace of Zakros. The body is carved from a large block of rock-crystal and the handle is made of crystal beads threaded on a bronze wire. This unique vessel was restored from hundreds of small fragments. Dated to the MM III-LM IB period (17th-15th centuries B.C.). Rhyton in the shape of a bull's head. Libation vessel carved from a block of black steatite in the shape of a bull's head. The details of the head are incised, the eyes are inlaid with rock-crystal and jasper, the muzzle is inlaid with white shell (mother-of-pearl) and the horns, now restored, were made of gilded wood. It is an outstanding example of the skill of the Minoan lapidaries, found in the Little Palace at Knossos. Dated to the MM III-LM IB period (17th-15th centuries B.C.).
The Phaistos Disk. Clay disk found at the Palace of Phaistos. On both sides 242 signs have been impressed with sealstones, running in a spiral form starting from the edge towards the centre. The signs belong to an ideographic and probably syllabic script, which has not yet been deciphered despite the numerous attempts over the years. The exact date of the disk is also questionable, but it probably dates from the MM IIB period (17th century B.C.).
The "Bull-leaping" fresco. Fresco found at the Palace of Knossos, with a representation of the bull-leaping, a kind of contest, probably religious in character, in which both men and women took part. A man is shown jumping over the back of a bull with a female figure on each side. Dated to the MM III-LM IB period (17th-15th centuries B.C.).
Gold ring from Isopata. Gold signet ring found in a tomb at Isopata, in the vicinity of Knossos. On the bezel is a representation of women in ecstatic ritual dance, in a meadow with lilies. The smaller figure is considered to be a goddess descending from the sky. On the ground, the signs of an eye and snakes can also be seen. It is a true masterpiece of Minoan goldwork, dated to the LM II period (15th century B.C.). Clay model of a shrine from the Giamalakis Collection. Unique terracotta model of a circular shrine, found at Archanes. The opening was closed by a detachable door. Inside the shrine there is a seated female figure with raised arms, possibly a goddess. Two human figures on the roof, perhaps representing worshipers, watch the goddess through the lightwell, while a dog lies near the edge. Dated to the Proto-geometric period (10th-9th century B.C.). Clay model of a shrine from the Giamalakis Collection. Unique terracotta model of a circular shrine, found at Archanes. The opening was closed by a detachable door. Inside the shrine there is a seated female figure with raised arms, possibly a goddess. Two human figures on the roof, perhaps representing worshipers, watch the goddess through the lightwell, while a dog lies near the edge. Dated to the Proto-geometric period (10th-9th century B.C.). Clay model of a shrine from the Giamalakis Collection. Unique terracotta model of a circular shrine, found at Archanes. The opening was closed by a detachable door. Inside the shrine there is a seated female figure with raised arms, possibly a goddess. Two human figures on the roof, perhaps representing worshipers, watch the goddess through the lightwell, while a dog lies near the edge. Dated to the Proto-geometric period (10th-9th century B.C.).
Clay model of a shrine from the Giamalakis Collection. Unique terracotta model of a circular shrine, found at Archanes. The opening was closed by a detachable door. Inside the shrine there is a seated female figure with raised arms, possibly a goddess. Two human figures on the roof, perhaps representing worshipers, watch the goddess through the lightwell, while a dog lies near the edge. Dated to the Proto-geometric period (10th-9th century B.C.).
Bronze statuettes. Three statuettes made of hammered bronze sheets (sphyrelata), from the Temple of Apollo Delphinios at Dreros. They probably depict Apollo, his sister Artemis and their mother, Leto. They are exceptional pieces of bronzework as this is the first known case that hammering is applied to statues. Dated to the end of the 8th century B.C.
Statue of Aphrodite. Marble statue from Gortyn, representing goddess Aphrodite kneeling in her bath. It is a Roman copy of a Hellenistic original by the sculptor Doidalsas. Dated to the 1st century B.C.
The Museum is located in Liberty square in the city of Iraklion
Historical Museum Of Iraklion 
It was designed by L. Kantantzoglou and built in 1870, in the place of an older mansion. It was put on fire by the Turks during the events of August 25, 1898 and was reconstructed in 1903 on the plans of K. Tsantirakis (preserved today), based on the layout of the previous structure. It has been declared a Historical Building and a Work of Art and is protected by a preservation order. The two-storeyed building is a wonderful specimen of the Neoclassical architecture. Its entrance is formed by a marble porch and columns made of poros stone. The windows on the facade of the ground floor and in the south part of the east and west walls are crowned by arched lintels and framed by caryatids (Hermae) supporting a pediment. The rest of the windows have plain, rectangular frames. The north side of the building is modelled as a "scarpa" following the Venetian model. The courtyard on the south side of the building is enclosed by a Neoclassical fence. The interior is decorated with friezes depicting scenes from the Iliad and the Odyssey. The building houses the Historical Museum of Iraklion located in E.Venizelou street 300 m. adjacent to the port of Iraklion .
A visit to the Historical Museum of Crete will bring to life the history and culture of Crete, from the first centuries of the Christian era to the present time.Below you can find the main exhibits:
1. Byzantine-Mediaeval collection, Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish sculptures and inscriptions, wall paintings (13th-16th cent.), sacred vessels and vestments, coins, jewellery and miniature work of the Byzantine and Venetian period. Also the only existing painting in Crete by Domenicos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) entitled "View of Mount Sinai and the Monastery".
2.Historical Collection: Relics of the Cretan revolutions of the 19th century and of the Cretan State (1898-1913). Flags, arms, portaits of heroes of the patriotic struggles, jewellery, engravings, furniture, costumes, maps, memontoes. Also historic documents and a collection of photographs.
3. Folk art collection: Hundreds of representative samples of Cretan folk art(women and embroidered articles, Lace, costimes, jewellery, miniature work, musical instruments etc). Reproduction of the interior of an old Cretan rule house.
4. Nikos Kazantzakis Room: the desk, library, personal mementoes and manuscripts of many of the works of the great writer.
5. Tsouderos Room: the desk, library and personal mementoes of the Prime Minister of the Battle of Grete, engravings, maps, rare editions and a collection of Cretan postage stamps.
Operating hours:MON-SAT 09:00-17:00,WED:09:00-21:00, SUN & official holidays closed
Museum of Natural History 
The Museum of Natural History of the University of Crete was established in the early '80's. It consists of five departments: Zoology, Botany, Anthropology, Geology - Palaentology and Mineralogy. Today the botanical and zoological collections are rich especially in invertebrates, mammals and flowering plants. During the last two years, there have been three exhibitions on the natural environment of Crete, in parallel to the scientific research conducted by the Museum.
The Aegean is the largest archipelago of the Mediterranean. Its natural environment is characterized by a great variety of ecotopes and by high endemism both in plants and animals. The geologic history of the area as well as the long term influences from Europe, Africa and Asia have resulted in the unique physiognomy of each one of its 3,000 islands and islets. Crete is the largest island of the Aegean. High mountains, numerous gorges and a plethora of caves have contributed enormously to Crete's environment. Address:157 Knossos Ave, 71409 Heraklion .
MUSEUM FOR THE BATTLE OF CRETE
AND NATIONAL RESISTANCE
Next to the Archaeological Museum on
Doukos Bofor and Merambelou road
tel. +30 2810 246 554
The Municipal museum for the Battle of Crete and National Resistance 1941-45 was founded and started operating in May 1994.
Ιt preserves and exhibits items of the period 1941-1945 from Crete, as well as to accentuate the sacred battles of the Cretan people during the German-Italian occupation.
Together with the exhibition of historic documents, the Museum also offers the motivation necessary to rouse love and respect for the history of Crete. |
Museums in Iraklion 
