Archaeological Museum of Heraklion on Crete is one of the largest museums in Greece and the best museum of Minoan art in the world. The museum exhibition presents the most significant and comprehensive collection of artifacts from the Minoan civilization of Crete. The museum and other historical periods of Crete (from the Neolithic to the Graeco-Roman period), but the Minoan artifacts are the backbone of the exhibition.

The first archaeological collection of the city of Heraklion, marked the beginning of the modern museum was established in 1883 under the direction of archaeologist Joseph Hadzidakisa and is a small collection of antiquities. In the years 1904-1912 for the museum it was erected a separate building, but because of the three devastating earthquakes in 1926, 1930, 1935 the building was virtually destroyed. Museum Director Spyridon Marinatos made great efforts to find means to convince local residents and authorities of the need for new construction. Construction began in 1937 under the leadership of the Greek architect Patrokolosa Karantinosa at the site destroyed by an earthquake (1856), a Catholic monastery of St. Francis. During the Second World War, the museum was severely damaged, but managed to keep the collection of antiquities and in 1952 she again became available to the public. In 1964 he was attached to the building of another wing.

The museum exposition includes a lot of variety of objects: pottery, figurines, sculptures, jewelry, weapons and tools, household utensils, print, ritual artifacts and more .  One of the main attractions of the museum is considered to be a unique Phaistos disc terracotta with ancient inscriptions, which has not yet been deciphered .  The museum presents a wonderful collection of various frescoes (1600-1400gg BC . e . ), The most famous of which is "The Prince of lilies", "Parisian" and "Games with the bull" .  A special place in the exposition is occupied by two women Porcelain figurines, so-called "snake goddess", found during excavations in 1903 and dating from 1600 g .  Don . e .  The masterpiece of Minoan art jewelry pendant is a "Golden Bee", found in the Cretan city of Mallia .  Also of interest are two-sided bronze ritual ax "Axe arkalochori" (1500-1450 gg .  Don . e . ) And a bronze dagger with a gold hilt (1800-1700 gg .  Don . e . ) .

In November 2006 the building of the museum was closed for restoration. The most valuable artifacts were on display in a specially designed annexe (temporary exhibition). In August 2012, after a long reconstruction of the museum was opened to visitors.