Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is located in the center of the city and is regarded as one of Europe’s most important museums. The present building was constructed between 1933 and 1937 to plans by P. Karantinos, on the site of the imposing Venetian Franciscan friary destroyed by an earthquake in 1856. The museum brings together archaeological finds from all over Crete, covering over 5500 years of the island’s history. Pride of place is given to the treasures of Minoan civilization, the entire historical course of which can thus be appreciated. The museum houses the most important collection of Minoan antiquities the world over.