The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is one of the oldest and most important museums in Greece, and among the most famous museums in Europe. It houses representative artefacts from all periods of Cretan prehistory and history, covering a chronological span of over 5,500 years from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum prides itself for its unique Minoan collection, which includes the masterpieces of Minoan art. It is rightly considered as the Museum of Minoan Culture par excellence.
Located in the Heraklio city center, it was designed by the architect Patroklos Karantinos and was built between 1935 and 1958 on a site previously occupied by the Venetian monastery of Saint-Francis which was destroyed by earthquake in 1856. The ruins of the monastery are visible in the museum’s garden.
The Museum building is an important example of the Greek Modernist style of architecture. The colours and building materials used, along with the multicoloured veined marble, are reminiscent of the painted imitation marble revetments of the Minoan palaces. The two-storey building includes extensive exhibition rooms, an audiovisual media room and laboratories. The Museum also has a vestibule, a gift shop leased from the Archaeological Receipts Fund, and a cafeteria in the garden.
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is a Special Regional Service of the Ministry of Culture. Along with the permanent exhibition, the museum organizes temporary exhibitions in Greece and abroad, creates and implements educational programs, collaborates with scientific and scholarly institutions, and houses a variety of cultural events.
| Archaeological Museum of Herakleion
Xanthoudidou 2 Str., Τ.Κ. 71202, Herakleion (Prefecture of Iraklio) Telephone: 2810 279000, 2810 279002, 2810 279087 |
Open
Winter:
From 7 January to 28 February 2019:
Monday, Wednesday to Sunday: 08:30 – 15:30
Tuesday: 10:00 – 17:00
From 1-31 March 2019:
Monday & Wednesday – Sunday: 08:00 – 16:00
Tuesday : 10:00 – 17:00
Summer:
The visiting hours for the summer will be announced by the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
Holidays
1 January: closed
6 January: 08:30 – 15:00
Shrove Monday: 08:30 – 15:00
25 March: closed
Good Friday: 12:00 – 17:00
Holy Saturday: 08:00 – 15:00
1May: closed
Easter Sunday: closed
Easter Monday: closed
Holy Spirit Day: 08:00 – 20:00
15 August: 08:00 – 15:00
28 October: 08:00 – 15:00
25 December: closed
26 December: closed