Description of the attraction
Among the numerous attractions of the Greek island of Crete, the Lychnostatis open-air museum, located near the town of Hersonissos, undoubtedly deserves special attention.
The initiators of the founding of the museum were the professor of ophthalmology Jorgis Markakis and his wife Elsa, whose private ethnographic collection prompted the spouses to think about its creation. In 1986, the Mararis family, hiring several workers to help themselves, began construction of the future museum. It is interesting that neither modern equipment nor technology was used in the construction of the structures. By 1992, the main work was completed, and in July 1992 the museum first opened its doors to visitors. In 1994, in order to attract sponsors and receive grants for the further development of the museum, the Association of Museum Members was established.
Today the Lychnostatis Open Air Museum is one of the most picturesque and visited places on the island of Crete, where you have an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the history of cultural development, old traditions and peculiarities of life and life of the islanders, as well as with the local flora. Among the most interesting expositions of the museum, it is worth noting the reconstruction of a traditional Cretan farm, wine and olive press, weaving and pottery workshops and distillery. A gallery of folk art and an impressive collection of minerals deserve special attention. You can get acquainted with the flora of the island of Crete by examining a very entertaining herbarium and strolling through the garden of the museum.
The museum also has an excellent library, a small cozy cafe, a shop, as well as a conference hall for 150 seats and a theater for 250 seats.
Various cultural events are regularly held on the territory of the Lychnostatis Open Air Museum.
