Historical Museum of Crete
The Historical Museum of Crete presents seventeen centuries of Cretan history and art in a neoclassical mansion, with works by El Greco and a collection on Nikos Kazantzakis.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Historical Museum of Crete was founded in 1953 by the Society for Cretan Historical Studies. Its home is the neoclassical listed building of the House of Andreas and Maria Kalokairinos (1903), which was made available by the Andreas and Maria Kalokairinos Foundations in accordance with the wishes of the donor.
The aim of the Society is to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Crete from the earliest Byzantine times to the modern era. The museum's collections have grown gradually through the collection of objects, purchases and donations, as well as deposits from the Ministry of Culture.
Through successive extensions and new exhibitions, which use modern museological concepts and electronic applications, the museum today offers a picture of the island's history and art from the first Christian centuries to the 20th century. The permanent sections include ceramics, sculptures, coins, Byzantine and post-Byzantine art, works by Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco), icons from the Zacharias Portalakis collection, the Ottoman and more recent periods, the Second World War, Nikos Kazantzakis and the ethnographic collection.
Highlights
- Works by Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco)
- Icons from the Zacharias Portalakis collection
- Collection on Nikos Kazantzakis
- Byzantine and post-Byzantine art
- Ethnographic collection
- Neoclassical building with a café and sea views
Permanent exhibitions
- Δομήνικος Θεοτοκόπουλος (Ελ Γκρέκο) – Two works by El Greco, “View of Mount Sinai and the Monastery” and “The Baptism of Christ”, the only works by the painter exhibited in Crete.
- Βυζαντινή και μεταβυζαντινή τέχνη – Wall paintings, panel icons, liturgical vessels, priestly vestments, manuscripts and jewellery show the continuity of the Byzantine tradition in Crete.
- Νίκος Καζαντζάκης – The writer's study from his house in Antibes, France, with the library, personal objects and archival material that he donated to the Society for Cretan Historical Studies.
- Founded
- 1953
- Operated by
- Εταιρία Κρητικών Ιστορικών Μελετών
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Pupils, students and people over 65, upon presentation of a card |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 12 · Free admission for children up to 12. |
| Seniors | €5Upon presentation of a card. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for visitors with a disability of 67% and above, with a disability card or a valid medical certificate. Free admission also for the companion of a person with a visual or mobility impairment. |
| Students & apprentices | €5Free admission for students of the University of Crete, the Technical University of Crete, the Hellenic Mediterranean University and the Orthodox Academy of Crete. For pupils and other students, the reduced ticket applies upon presentation of a card. |
Unemployed people also have free admission, upon presentation of a card. Access to the IMK Café and the shop is free during the museum's opening hours.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Access for people with mobility difficulties is via a ramp in the north courtyard, at the corner of Sofokli Venizelou and Grevenon Streets. Lifts lead to the floors, as well as a special electric platform stairlift for wheelchairs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 12 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The museum organises educational programmes for schools and families, and educational activities for children and adults.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The museum is located on the seafront road of Heraklion, 500 metres from the city centre, and is reached on foot.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
The museum has no car park of its own; organised car parks are nearby.
Distance from Nikos Kazantzakis Airport: 4.8 km; from the port of Heraklion: 1.6 km; from the intercity bus station (KTEL): 1.9 km.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The IMK Café on the first floor has an indoor area, a terrace with a sea view and a courtyard in the shade of trees. Access to the café and the shop is free.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum offers audio guides and educational programmes for schools and families. |
