Lychnostatis Open Air Museum
Lychnostatis Open Air Museum is a museum in Hersonissos, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. It is an autonomous private foundation, established in July 1992, based on private collection owned by ophthalmologist Yiorgos Markakis. The Markakis and local workers were responsible for the building of the museum between 1986 and 1992. In March 1994, the Association of Members of the Museum was established, to obtain sponsorships and grants to operate the museum .
The museum contains a variety of artifacts and structures related to Cretan folk tradition and ethnology, economic activity and culture, nature and the environment. Notable assets include traditional Cretan farmer and merchant houses, wine and olive presses, a distillery, weaving and ceramic workshops, a herbarium and fruit and cactus gardens, a folk art gallery, library, a mineral and stone exhibition, a 150-seat auditorium and a 250 seats theatre as well as a cafe and shop. A number of performances are put on in the auditoriums including the "Traditional September" annual event as well as Greek dancing performances, and grape and wine tasting events.