Kazantzakis Museum
Kazantzakis Museum
5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Kazantzakis Museum pays tribute to the important intellectual, author, thinker, philosopher, politician and traveler Nikos Kazantzakis. The Museum holds manuscripts and notes by the author; samples of his correspondence with major thinkers, politicians and authors of his time; first editions of his works in Greek and other languages; rare photographic material; souvenirs from his travels; personal effects; models, costumes and other material from theatre productions of his works in Greece and abroad; portraits and sculptures of the author; dozens of foreign-language editions of his works from all over the world, all a legacy that brings alive the memory of Nikos Kazatzakis and promotes his work and personality. The Nikos Kazantzakis Museum has quite literally become a site of worldwide intellectual pilgrimage. Every day, visitors arrive from all four corners of the globe, bearing witness to the lasting relevancy of the word expressed by the great Cretan, universal author and thinker.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
88 reviews
Excellent
77
Very good
11
Average
0
Poor
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0
ToniMontoliu
Barcelona, Spain76 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Essential for lovers of literature. Modern museum with information in English about the life and work of Kazantzakis. Professional staff, video about the author's life and lots of objects. You can take the opportunity to see the village, with graffiti dedicated to Kazantzakis
Written June 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YiannisR
Myrtia, Greece11 contributions
Took visiting friends and Kazantzakis fans from New York to see the museum and home of Nikos Kazantzakis. I had not been there for a few years. I was so pleasantly surprised. The fully renovated museum is world class. DO NOT MISS. Make the time to also visit its gift shop/book store across the square. Knowledgeable staff and lots of book options. Loved it.
PS on the way back to Heraklion stop by the Olive and Mint restaurant in Skalani village about four km north of the museum. It will make for an awesome all around day. Enjoy
PS on the way back to Heraklion stop by the Olive and Mint restaurant in Skalani village about four km north of the museum. It will make for an awesome all around day. Enjoy
Written July 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randi R
Westchester County, NY50 contributions
The Kazantzakis museum was renovated about 3 years ago, and the transformation makes this destination worth the trip!
The museum is beautifully laid out with wonderful details on the background of his life, travels and times (in history). Also seeing the layouts of plays, movies and operas was outstanding!
It was fun going from room to room and seeing the modern touches enhance the experience! Being able to “flip through” a letter from Albert Einstein is one example of the genius of this museum.
Wonderful! Worth the trip!!
Took visiting friends here and look forward to stopping by with my next set of visitors.
The museum is beautifully laid out with wonderful details on the background of his life, travels and times (in history). Also seeing the layouts of plays, movies and operas was outstanding!
It was fun going from room to room and seeing the modern touches enhance the experience! Being able to “flip through” a letter from Albert Einstein is one example of the genius of this museum.
Wonderful! Worth the trip!!
Took visiting friends here and look forward to stopping by with my next set of visitors.
Written July 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeterElofssonPeter
Floda, Sweden33 contributions
We came here by chance after we actually tried to visit the Crete war museum in nearby Episkopi. The museum in Episkopi was closed so a short drive later we arrived to this hidden gem. The building itself is really beautiful and the inside of the museum is perfect in size. Those working in the museum are friendly and helpful. A tip is to start the visit with the 20 minute long audiovisual presentation, at least if you like me lack deep knowledge in the world of Nikos.
Written September 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George K
Athens, Greece106 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
I must first of all declare that I can't be 100% objective, since this Museum is located in the village of Myrtia, the birth place of both my parents. However, whenever I have visit it with guests during our summer vacations, the feedback was more than positive...
The Nikos Kazantzakis Museum pays tribute to the important intellectual, author, thinker, philosopher, politician and traveler Nikos Kazantzakis. Many of his books have been translated to hundreds of languages and some of them used for great theatrical plays and movies like "Zorba the Greek" and the "Last temptation of Christ".
The Museum is located in the central square of the historical village of Varvari, now known as Myrtia. Actually the building is located where Nikos Kazantzakis' father, Kapetan Michalis house used to be. The village itself could be consider an attraction.. Going from Heraclion to Myrtia, will take you through an amazing scenery filled of vineyards, olive trees, canyons. Whenever I go there it reminds me Toscane a lot. Hospitality of the people there is amazing, so be sure that if you talk to a local most when siting outside of his/her house most probably he will offer you a treat to welcome you. The museum is very modern and in a limited space it offers a very wide variety of information. For sure you will not regret the visit. I agree that is an absolute must for people visiting Crete and want to see also the cultural side of this amazing island.
As quoted in the museum web page "The Museum holds manuscripts and notes by the author; samples of his correspondence with major thinkers, politicians and authors of his time; first editions of his works in Greek and other languages; rare photographic material; souvenirs from his travels; personal effects; models, costumes and other material from theatre productions of his works in Greece and abroad; portraits and sculptures of the author; dozens of foreign-language editions of his works from all over the world, all a legacy that brings alive the memory of Nikos Kazatzakis and promotes his work and personality."
Myrtia has also very nice small tavernas to eat, so you can try this as well.
The Nikos Kazantzakis Museum pays tribute to the important intellectual, author, thinker, philosopher, politician and traveler Nikos Kazantzakis. Many of his books have been translated to hundreds of languages and some of them used for great theatrical plays and movies like "Zorba the Greek" and the "Last temptation of Christ".
The Museum is located in the central square of the historical village of Varvari, now known as Myrtia. Actually the building is located where Nikos Kazantzakis' father, Kapetan Michalis house used to be. The village itself could be consider an attraction.. Going from Heraclion to Myrtia, will take you through an amazing scenery filled of vineyards, olive trees, canyons. Whenever I go there it reminds me Toscane a lot. Hospitality of the people there is amazing, so be sure that if you talk to a local most when siting outside of his/her house most probably he will offer you a treat to welcome you. The museum is very modern and in a limited space it offers a very wide variety of information. For sure you will not regret the visit. I agree that is an absolute must for people visiting Crete and want to see also the cultural side of this amazing island.
As quoted in the museum web page "The Museum holds manuscripts and notes by the author; samples of his correspondence with major thinkers, politicians and authors of his time; first editions of his works in Greek and other languages; rare photographic material; souvenirs from his travels; personal effects; models, costumes and other material from theatre productions of his works in Greece and abroad; portraits and sculptures of the author; dozens of foreign-language editions of his works from all over the world, all a legacy that brings alive the memory of Nikos Kazatzakis and promotes his work and personality."
Myrtia has also very nice small tavernas to eat, so you can try this as well.
Written April 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tsokanis
Chania Town, Greece3 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
A must visit experience if you pass by Herakleion. A great museum for one of the greatest Greek author of all time!
Written November 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Timothy B
Lucerne, Switzerland621 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
If all you know about Kazantzakis is about Zorba the Greek, then this museum will be enlightening about Greece’s great man of letters.
For my wife it was a Hommage to the writer she had grown up with and respected.
The journey to the museum is from sea level to 300 meters and only 12 kilometres from the capital but worlds away.
High on a ridge this village has a very modern and excellent museum with a very good coffee shop and of course a book shop.
We spent nearly two hours and watched the 20 minute film.
Read his books my favourite is Christ Re-crucified
For my wife it was a Hommage to the writer she had grown up with and respected.
The journey to the museum is from sea level to 300 meters and only 12 kilometres from the capital but worlds away.
High on a ridge this village has a very modern and excellent museum with a very good coffee shop and of course a book shop.
We spent nearly two hours and watched the 20 minute film.
Read his books my favourite is Christ Re-crucified
Written March 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your lovely and comprehensive review!
We wish you all the best!
Written March 6, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sussch
Berlin, Germany1 contribution
Sep 2018 • Friends
Must visit the village and the house museum of kazantzakis.one very important person for crete Greece and for all the word .rented a car for 40 euros and it's only 1.30 hour away from chersonissos. Nice things to see on the way as well
Written September 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your warm words!!!
Written September 19, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gypsypirate49
Denver, CO110 contributions
Mar 2018
This little museum pays homage to one of Greece's greatest writers. The museum is actually quite small, but it is packed full of artifacts from Kazantzakis' life, letters, photographs and original manuscripts and first editions. We spent well over an hour poring over the cases that are filled with information. There is also a short film about his life. You learn quite a bit about the man in a short period of time. My boyfriend, who is Greek, did note that Kazantzakis' battles with the church were glossed over - with a few exceptions, as well as parts of his personal life, but that on the whole, he was moved by this tribute to a prolific writer and great thinker who was way ahead of his time. The drive out to the museum is lovely as well, so take the short trip from Heraklion. You will be glad you did.
Written March 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your warm words!!!
Written March 29, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
hephaistos2
Sacramento, CA93 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Previous reviewers have cited many of the reasons I would cite for making your way to thislittle museum, whether you are a devoted fan or just curious about this remarkable man. I do think that viewing the film and using the audio guide are valuable, however much you already know about Kazantzakis. The display of artifacts is very effective, often centering on a theme in the author's life or on one of his writings.
The Historical Museum of Crete in Herakleion also has a small exhibit devoted to their native son. And the gravesites of Nikos and his wife Eleni on the Martinengo Bastion are worth visiting as well.
The Historical Museum of Crete in Herakleion also has a small exhibit devoted to their native son. And the gravesites of Nikos and his wife Eleni on the Martinengo Bastion are worth visiting as well.
Written May 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mcelwee2017
Columbus, Ohio
I would like to have the Greek text and English translation on the plaque at the museum, the plaque which states that the worst disgrace a Cretan can bring upon himself is to harm a stranger/foreigner - breach of philoxenia.
Thanks,
Mc
Written June 27, 2017
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