Domenikos Theotokopoulos Museum

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Fodele

The Museum of painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) is located in the village of Fodele, which is 30 km from Heraklion. More specifically, it is just one kilometre from the village, in the place called Theotokiana, opposite the Byzantine church of Panagia, which is said to have given the impetus to Domenikos Theotokopoulos to engage in hagiography. It is one of the most famous museums in Crete. It is believed that the building that houses the museum was the house of the Cretan "sgourafos" (1541-1614), as he states that he was born 25 kilometres northwest of Heraklion, next to a Byzantine temple.

At this point, it should be noted that the Historical Museum of Crete, in Heraklion, houses two original works of Domenikos Theotokopoulos, the only original works of the artist in Crete. The Museum is housed in a restored, under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, stone building that belonged to a Post-Byzantine residential complex. The building was reconstructed based on its original design and has been operating as a Museum since 1998, with an exhibition of 24 copies of Theotokopoulos' works, in the form of slides. At the entrance of the Museum, the bust of the Renaissance painter, sculptor and architect dominates. An information brochure about Theotokopoulos' life and work is available to visitors in 5 languages.

In the Museum you can also find information about the painter's family, while a room has been turned into a painting workshop. The Museum houses rare photographic material from local community events on the subject of Domenikos Theotokopoulos, as well as a collection of articles dedicated to the painter. The photographic material, which is from the arrival of the professors of the Valladolid University of Spain (on July 27th, 1934), when they came to pay tribute to the great painter, stands out. Of particular value are the photographic material and the information from the unveiling of the bust of El Greco in Fodele in 1964. The statue was created and donated by the great sculptor, Th. Apartis. There is also photographic material from the ruins of the building, as it was found before it was restored and turned into a museum.

In the courtyard of the Museum, there is a small cafe where the visitor can relax under the shade of century-old trees. Finally, just before the entrance of the Museum, there is a stone well with a water pumping mechanism (manganese well), which is part of the Post-Byzantine farmhouse.

Admission: 2.50 euros

For those under the age of 18: Admission free

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