The most magnificent collection of Minoan art and culture in the world, unique in beauty and completeness is housed in the Museum of Iraklion, a modern building specifically designed for this purpose.
The original Museum was built between 1904 and 1912 at the urging of two Cretan archaeologists, Iosif Hadzidakis and Stefanos Xanthoudides, Curators of the Archaeological service. It continued in use until 1937 when work began on the present earthquake-proof building. During the world war II, the museum suffered considerably damage, but, thanks to the precautions taken by prof. N. Platon, the collection survived. In 1915 the task of rearranging the exhibits was begun by prof. Platon, and in 1952, the collection was once again on display to the public. In the new wing that was added in 1964 the present director, S. Alexiou, completed the arranging of the exhibits.

There are twenty rooms- galleries on the ground and first floors and the usual visit takes at least two hours but , of course, several days are necessary for the visitor who wishes to linger and study more carefully the exhibits, which cover a period of 5,000 years, from neolithic era to Graeco Roman period.

The exhibits, collected from excavations carried out in all parts of Crete, come mainly from the prehistoric era (which takes its name from the legendary Cretan king,Minos) and form a valuable record of the artistic, social and economic life of the island during the ancient period.