The Natural History Museum of Crete (NHMC), which is located in close proximity to the Venetian port of Heraklion, demonstrates with an impressive and innovative manner the natural environment of the eastern Mediterranean with a special emphasis on Greece and Crete.
In the halls of NHMC with a total area of over 5500 m², visitors can tour in the Mega-Dioramas, the realistic representations of natural environment and explore the Giant Deinotherium, the Fossils, the Live Museum, the Discovery Center (”Erevnotopos”), the Earthquake Simulator (”Egelados”), the Multimedia Room, and the hall of the Temporary Exhibitions.
On the ground floor, you can explore some of the unique fossils of mammals found in the island of Crete. You can visit also the two Mega-Dioramas of Deciduous Forests and Mediterranean Shrublands, in which you can observe the Bear, the Wild Boar, the Wolf, the Fox, the Wild Cat, and many other animals. In the eastern part of the ground floor do not forget to visit the hall of the Temporary Exhibitions.
On Level +1, you can visit the two impressive Mega-Dioramas that house the ecosystems of the Conifers with Cedar, Fir and Cypress trees and the Striped Hyena, the Jackal, the Fallow Deer, and the impressive Lynx, and Mediterranean's High-Mountains ecosystems with their characteristic ungulates (Ibex, Chamois and Cypriot Mouflon). At this level you can relax taking your refreshment in the Museum's cafeteria.
On the same level, you can visit the life size representation of the Giant Deinotherium, the third largest land mammal of the world that is estimated to have been 5 meters tall at the shoulders, and 7 meters in length. The young “scientists” can also visit the Discovery Center (”Erevnotopos”) to get a firsthand experience of the magical scientific world. This unique area to Greece was designed especially for children, providing the opportunity for diverse hands-on and interactive activities.
One level below, on Level -2, you can experience what an earthquake feels like! The amazing Earthquake Simulator ("Egelados") is waiting impatiently to rock you on its shake table!
On Level -1, you can discover the organisms of the sandy and rocky Deserts of the eastern Mediterranean region that include the Antelope, the Desert Fox, and the Berber Goat. These ecosystems are comparable with the semi-arid deserts of Crete. Visit the Water and Coastal Mega-Dioramas with the Mediterranean Seal, the Otter, the Glossy Ibis, the Little Bittern and the Eurasian Spoonbill. In the Living Museum, you will have the opportunity to see live Newts, Vipers, Spiny Mice, and several other animals. Do not miss selected movies in the Multimedia Room. Visiting hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00-15:00, Weekends: 10:00-18:00. Tickets: € 6, Children 3-18 year old: € 4.