Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
10, are
Linear A and B tablets
. From Phaestos, the most prized find is the mysterious
Phaestos Disk
(case 18), a 16cm circular clay tablet inscribed with (still undeciphered)
pictographic symbols. Considered one of the greatest achievements in Minoan art is the
Sarcophagus of Agia Triada
, which depicts scenes associated with worship, death and
the afterlife.
Over time, all these objects will be transferred to the restored main building.
Historical Museum of Crete
MUSEUM
( 2810 283219;
www.historical-museum.gr
; Sofokli Venizelou 27; adult/concession €5/3;
9am-5pm Mon-Sat)
Exhibits at this engagingly curated museum shine the spotlight on as-
pects of Cretan history spanning from the Byzantine to the Venetian and Turkish periods
and culminating in WWII. Excellent English labelling, interactive stations throughout, as
well as an audio guide (€3), greatly enhance the experience.
First-floor highlights include a newly reorganised coin collection and the only two El
Greco paintings in Crete, 13th- and 14th-century frescoes, exquisite Venetian gold jew-
ellery and embroidered vestments. The most interesting rooms on the 2nd floor are the
recreated study of
Zorba the Greek
author Nikos Kazantzakis and others dramatically de-
tailing aspects of the WWII Battle of Crete in May 1941, including the Cretan resistance
and the role of Allied secret services. The top floor features an outstanding folklore col-
lection.
Natural History Museum
MUSEUM
( 2810 282740;
www.nhmc.uoc.gr
;
Sofokli Venizelou; adult/concession €6/4; 9am-9pm,
shorter hours Oct-May)
In a cleverly recycled power station, this museum introduces visit-
ors to regional fauna and flora, but gets special kudos for its hands-on Discovery Centre,
living zoo and earthquake simulator. The star exhibit, though, is the life-size representa-
tion of the elephant-like
Deinotherium gigantum
, the world's third-largest land mammal
known to have existed, standing 5m tall. The museum is on the waterfront, about a
10-minute walk west of the Venetian Harbour.
Koules Venetian Fortress
FORTRESS
(Venetian Harbour)
Iraklio's landmark, this squat 16th-century fortress at the beginning of
the Venetian Harbour breakwater was called Rocca al Mare under the Venetians. It
stopped the Turks for 21 years and later became a Turkish prison for Cretan rebels. It's
closed for renovation for the foreseeable future.
