The museum of one of the most important modern writers is in Mirtia, 20 kilometers from Heraclion.

Nikos Kazantzakis is recognized as the writer with the most translated texts worldwide.

The Nikos Kazantzakis museum is in the central square of the village. It is actually the house of the writer’s father, Michalis ( model of Kapetan Michalis in the “Kapetan Michalis” novel).

The museum was inaugurated by Melina Merkouri in 1983 and its creator was the dear departed stage and costume designer, Giorgos Anemogiannis, who set it up with the help of the writer’s wife, Eleni Kazantzaki. The museum was fully renovated in 2009.

The museum’s exhibition includes personal things of Kazantzakis (like his pipe, his glasses and his watch), letters, the first publications of his books in Greek and other languages, copies of his proof-reading, stage scenery and posters of his on-stage works, photographs, press publications etc.

In a specially configurated room, a documentary in six languages about the life and the works of Nikos Kazantzakis is shown.

All his books and the books written for him are also on sale in the museum.