Historical Museum of Crete

A fascinating collection from Crete's more recent past is presented at the excellent Historical Museum of Crete. The ground floor covers the period from Byzantine to Turkish rule, displaying plans, charts, photographs, ceramics and maps. On the 1st floor are the only two El Greco paintings in Crete - View of Mt Sinai and the Monastery of St Catherine (1570) and the tiny recent addition, Baptism of Christ.

Other rooms contain fragments of 13th- and 14th-century frescoes, coins, jewellery, liturgical ornaments and vestments, and medieval pottery.

The 2nd floor has a reconstruction of the library of author Nikos Kazantzakis. Another room is devoted to Rethymno-born former prime minister Emmanouil Tsouderos. Some dramatic photographs of a ruined Iraklio are displayed in the Battle of Crete section, which was being revamped. There is an outstanding folklore collection on the 3rd floor.