historical museum of crete

I cannot say enough good things about this museum. I spent about three hours wandering leisurely through its halls on a slow January morning where I was the only patron for the majority of my time. For connecting the long history of political changes on Crete, the first room on the ground level is crucial, taking you through the chronology with well-presented but brief information combined with archaeological artifacts. The large model of Venetian Heraklion was very interesting for connecting the historical buildings still standing today with their place in the original city. The rest of the museum works on filling in the gaps with more detailed pieces of the picture, and is a treasure trove of history, archaeology, and ethnography, plus a series of excellent temporary exhibits.Highlights for me included:-The room of religious icons and one on church frescoes saved from various churches on the island and presented with information on what sets the local Cretan style apart from wider Mediterranean and European traditions.-The study of Kazantzakis complete with a collection of his books on display and a cinema playing clips from the films made from his books.-The motion-sensor-run fountain and other Byzantine artifacts- The ethnographic crown of the building, with a reconstructed traditional Cretan house, alongside displays of traditional textiles and musical instruments.- a temporary exhibit featuring the photography of Constantine Manos, featuring both photos he chose for a book 50 years ago, and other photos that he hadn't published. I ended up buying the book they had that was first published 50 years ago and was disappointed that the book doesn't list the places of the photos as the exhibit did. The photos are stunning and captured traditional life in the Greek islands beautifully.One disappointment: the El Greco paintings were off on a traveling exhibit in Athens so I didn't get to see them in their home museum.Overall, the text panels and displays are well done and informative, providing education in an interesting style that kept me reading for hours. The themed rooms are splendidly organized and presented, and worth your time. Also a plus: non-flash photography is allowed!

The museum has a good collection of exhibits illustrating the history of the island. Photography is allowed.

This museum has many interesting displays and art works from the Byzantine time to the 20th century. The latter is a display about World War II. Unfortunately more attention is given to graves of Nazi soldiers than the Jews that they deported to their deaths. In the earlier period, they talk about how many Jews lived in Heraklion and have stones with early Hebrew inscriptions. Ottoman Empire is also well represented. This has an elevator, which is welcome.

I find that it is sometimes difficult, as a foreigner, to get a grasp on the post-classical history of Greece, because so many of the museums and featured sites are ancient. The Historical Museum of Crete is a good way to acquaint yourself with some of the history that you don't always get. At 5€, the ticket is a little pricey for Greece, but the museum is well done. It's broken into separate sections: there's on one the history of Herakleon itself, complete with 3D model; some nifty Byzantine and Venetian sculpture, as well as a working Ottoman fountain; a room that tells the history of coinage, and includes artifacts like a Nazi medal from the invasion of Crete; a room about George II, last king of Greece; a walk-through exhibition on the experience of Crete during WWII; an ethnography room with costumes and other artifacts (and maybe a slightly white-washed explanation of Ottoman Crete); and a Kazanzakis shrine, er, exhibit. The English placards are all very accessible, and there's a lot to see. I think the most comparable experience is the Benaki in Athens. All in all, it was a good way to spend an hour or so in the morning, and good to start thinking about how modern Greeks -- Cretans in particular -- actually think about themselves rather than just looking at 2000-year-old sculptures.

Was a great idea to visit the historical museum. Was a great experience. I really like to go again. Was amazing. We went there with my friends and we make many photos. Was great time.

Spent an afternoon their and learned so much about Cretan history, its links to Venetian history and historical ownership are fascinating, it was 10 euros to get in and over 4 floors, if you have any interest in Cretan history, you’ll love this place.

In a building that used to be the house of Kalokerinos, a great benefactor of Heraklion the modern building attached to the classic building shows the effort to meet our history through our modern eyes. Visitors can have a look at our history and, i believe is a "must to visit" place in Heraklion. Also you can try the small cafe-bar at the north balcony of the building with a nice sea view.

The museum itself is not big, but very very informative. It covers the whole history of the island and we learned a lot from the trip. Great way to learn more about this beautiful place. Very helpful staff!

I had a very interesting visit in this Museum. If you have 2 hours free go there! It gives you all the history of Crete.Hope you will enjoy it as i did.

We spent some 3 hours in here, absorbing so much about ancient Crete - most of which I did not know. The displays are wonderful, the explanations so good; however, someone ought to change some of the print in English - beige text on a black background with low lighting, so bad that I had to get down on my knees to read it!The content is extensive and the tale it tells is absorbing, 3 hours passed so quickly and it was my sore feet and over-loaded imagination that told me it was time to leave.Entrance fee is 3 Euros p.p., another 3 Euros for the audio-guide (not worth it).The on-site cafe is good and reasonably priced, though we went across the road for lunch; you can go out and back in again by showing your ticket.Do not miss it, but make sure you have enough time to get the best out of it.

Clean, tidy and well laid out. Covers Cretan history comprehensively - ancient but also through to Byzantine era, Venetian, Turkish; War of Independence; and through to WW2. Also houses the Nikos Kazantzakis collection.

Enjoyed to see the place. Everything was very well organized and easy to find, not too much. The historic rewiew of El Greco was interesting and made me want to know more about this person. And the outside garden wit a cup of coffee to relax was also good. Here you can sit down if you want a break. Very nice and clean place.

Would recommend to anybody who is in heraklion to pop in. Great collection of artifacts ! They have minoan, classic greecian and some roman pieces.

Our 2 year old had plenty of things to see and do. At the same time plenty of interesting thing for us. Four levels with different displays. Lots of local interest items as well as the dinosaurs.

Despite the Folk Art on the second floor which was charming, this is a dull museum. It has a pleasant cafe' looking out to sea, where you can rest your legs!!