The Minoan civilisation which flourished on the Mediterranean island of Crete broadly between 2600-1100 BC is remembered for great palaces at Knossos, Phaestos and Mallia, for its own hieroglyphic script, the sport of bull leaping, and many achievements in arts and crafts from stone carving and pottery to sculpture, goldwork and jewellery. Frescos from the palace at Knossos show women wearing remarkably sophisticated jewellery, reflecting a prosperous society with considerably artistic skills. Frescos and jewellery are gathered together in this museum, which is dedicated largely to that remarkable period when Crete was, for a while, the commercial power of the Mediterranean. Among the gold treasures is the honeybee pendant, which represents two bees (some define them as hornets) with wings raised and holding a honeycomb of granulated gold with their legs, dating from around 1600 BC (the gold bee pendant, located in Room VII, is really the museum's symbol, being stamped on your admission ticket)... Around it is a fine display of necklaces, earrings and bracelets, all delicately worked with a skill that would, according to one historian, "have done professional credit to any Renaissance master". Many of the earrings are in the shape of bulls' heads, with curved horns forming the ring by which they were attached to the ear lobes. Rings have bezels carved with animals, dancers, costumes or legends reflecting the dazzling Minoan society 3,500 years ago. A magnificent necklace links 70 little flower rosettes, while a simple head ornament is of four gold olive leaves twisted on a gold wire stem. Do not overlook the Knossos frescos up on the first floor, where you can admire the "ladies in blue" wall painting of three Minoan belles with gold filigree twined through their hair and laden with necklaces and bracelets. The labelling of the displays in the museum is limited; it is worth buying the detailed colour catalogue (8.80 euros) as you go in to have a better idea of what you are seeing. After the museum, be sure to visit the ruins of Knossos itself (15 minutes outside Herakleion) to see where all this splendour was originally on show. Try to get to Knossos soon after it opens at 8am to avoid the crowds.

Archaeological Museum of Herakleion
1 Xanthiudidou Street
Herakleion
Crete
Greece

Tel.     +30 81 226 092 or 224 630
Fax     +30 81 241 515
Web    www.culture.gr (lists all main Greek museums)
           
Open

April - October          Monday 12.30 - 21.00
                               Tuesday to Sunday 8 -19.00
November - March     Tuesday to Sunday 8 - 17.00
                               Monday 12.30 - 17.00