Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
Iraklio's main sights are wedged within the historic town, hemmed in by the waterfront
and the old city walls. Many of the finest buildings line up along the main thoroughfare,
25 Avgoustou, which skirts the lovely central square, Plateia Venizelou (Venizelou Sq,
also called Lion Sq after its landmark Morosini Fountain). East of here, Koraï is the hub
of Iraklio's cafe scene, leading to the sprawling Plateia Eleftherias (Eleftherias Sq) with
the archaeological museum nearby.
Iraklio Archaeological Museum
MUSEUM
( 2810 279000;
http://odysseus.culture.gr
;
Xanthoudidou 2; adult/concession €4/2, incl Knossos
€10/5; 8am-8pm Tue-Sat, 8am-3pm Sun, 1-8pm Mon Apr-Oct, reduced hours Nov-Mar)
This
outstanding museum is one of the largest and most important in Greece. There are arte-
facts spanning 5500 years from neolithic to Roman times, but it's rightly most famous
for its extensive Minoan collection. The treasure trove includes pottery, jewellery, figur-
ines and sarcophagi, plus some famous frescoes. The most exciting finds come from the
sites of Knossos, Phaestos, Zakros, Malia and Agia Triada. A visit here will greatly en-
hance your understanding and appreciation of Crete's history and culture. Don't skip it.
While the main museum building was closed for a six-year restoration, key exhibits
could be admired in a nearby annex entered from Hatzidakis St. However, in 2012 some
of these moved back into the north wing of the revamped structure with more sections
expected to open in 2013 and 2014. Upon completion, there will be 23 chronologically
organised rooms.
The ground floor of the revamped main museum building is dedicated to 1000 years of
classical sculpture
, including the monumental pieces from the Archaic-Classical period
and statues of Roman gods and statesmen. Upstairs is the
Gallery of the Minoan Fres-
coes
with the famous original wall-paintings from the Palace of Knossos. Highlights in-
clude the Procession Fresco, the Griffin Fresco (from the Throne Room), the Dolphin
Fresco (from the Queen's Room), the Parisienne and the elegant Prince of the Lilies.
Standouts still in the annex at the time of writing include the
Minoan Gold Bee
(case
7), found in Malia, which depicts two bees dropping honey into a comb. Among the pot-
tery objects, pay special attention to the
Harvester Vase
(case 16), found at Agia Triada
and decorated with a relief of farm workers returning from olive picking. Even more
striking is black-stone
Bull's Head
(case 13), a libation vessel with a fine head of curls,
gold horns and painted crystal eyes. The fascinating figurines of a bare-breasted
snake
goddess
found in a Knossos shrine are in the next case (14). Also from Knossos, in case
