Crete A guest of Zeus

The Greek island of Crete is famous for its myths and legends -
and for the Minoan civilization, of which there is ample evidence here. Particularly impressive: the exhibitions in the museum in Heraklion.

Guests from all over the world feel particularly welcome on Crete . And this is by no means surprising: after all, Zeus, the father of the gods and the god of hospitality, is said to have been born here. The Dictaean Cave (Dikteon Andron) and the Idaean Cave (Ideon Andron) are associated with his birth and childhood. The adult Zeus, in the form of a white bull, abducted the beautiful nymph Europa from Phoenicia and brought her to Crete. The two united under the evergreen plane tree of Gortis, and Europa gave birth to Minos, the king of the Minoans, the first advanced civilization of Europe. For this reason, the continent was called Europe.

Crete is shrouded in even more myths and legends. For example, the ingenious craftsman Daedalus built the famous labyrinth in which the sinister Minotaur was imprisoned. Daedalus later defied the law of gravity and fled the island. In the dark labyrinth, Theseus killed the Minotaur and found his way back to the exit by following the thread Ariadne had given him.

To this day, exciting traces of the island's millennia-old history can still be found on Crete . The plane tree of Gortis still stands, and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum is one of the largest and most remarkable museums in Greece and one of the most important in Europe. Its collection includes representative exhibits from all periods of Cretan prehistory and history, covering approximately 5500 years. More precisely: from the Neolithic Age to the Romans. The focus is on the unique masterpieces of Minoan art, which can be admired in their entire development.

The museum is rightly described as the most outstanding of the Minoan culture. The building in which it is housed is located in the center of the city. During Venetian rule, the Catholic monastery of St. Francis was located here, which was destroyed in an earthquake in 1856. The museum, which imitates Minoan frescoes with its colors and materials - such as the colorful veined marble - was built between 1937 and 1940 according to plans by architect Patroklos Karantinos. It is earthquake-proof, was designed for later expansion and is an impressive example of modern architecture in Greece.

On two floors it has large exhibition rooms, workshops, a drawing room, a library and much more. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum was built with the support of the Ministry of Culture, organizes temporary exhibitions and collaborates with numerous scientists and research institutions.

Visitors will also find a cafeteria and a souvenir store where you can buy beautiful souvenirs. What you will definitely take away with you is a comprehensive impression of the Minoan culture - and the feeling of having immersed yourself in the fascinating history of Crete.

www.heraklionmuseum.gr