The Society of Cretan Historical Studies

The Society of Cretan Historical Studies (SCHS) was founded on 7th October 1951, with the aim of “supporting and promoting Cretan studies in the fields of archaeology, history, ethnography, language and literature from early Christian times onwards”.

The above aim is served via the following activities:

a) Founding and running the Historical Museum of Crete in Heraklion, and the Menelaos Parlamas Museum of Rural Life and Theano Metaxa-Kanakaki Weaving Collection, a branch museum in Piskopiano, Hersonsisos.

b) Holding temporary exhibitions, conferences and events.

c) Publishing works relating to Cretan studies.

d) Organizing educational programmes and activities.

The Historical Museum of Crete (HMC) was founded in 1953, charged with recording, preserving, documenting and promoting all forms of material evidence of Cretan history (artifacts, archive material etc.). HMC’s activities include: designing and holding permanent and temporary exhibitions; running educational programmes; organizing scholarly / cultural activities (lectures, film shows); collecting, recording and digitizing archive material.

In parallel with the above, since its foundation SCHS has carried out wide-ranging work to the benefit not only of historical monuments (e.g. the Basilica of St. Mark in Heraklion was restored at the Society’s expense), but also to the benefit of scholarly research, such as recording the unknown chapels of Crete and establishing the Cretan Place Name Archive, which includes 20,000 place names from all over the island.

With regard to promoting academic research, SCHS also has valuable work to its credit, via its publications and by hosting colloquia and conferences. The latter include the International Cretan Studies Congresses, which have become an institution of global renown.

The Society is governed by a seven-member board elected by the General Assembly for a three-year term, composed of the President, the Vice President, the General Secretary, the Treasurer, and three members.

The composition of the SCHS Board elected on 11.06.2025 is as follows:

President

Alexis Kalokairinos, Mayor of Heraklion, Professor at the University of Crete

Vice President

Claire Mitsotaki, Author

General Secretary

Irini Lydaki, PhD in Byzantine Philology, editor at the University of Crete Press

Treasurer

Yorgos Nikolakakis, ret. Emeritus Associate Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Crete

Members

Gogo Moschovi, Archaeologist, Byzantinist, ret. Head of the Department of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Antiquities and Museums, Lasithi Ephorate of Antiquities, Managing Director of the Historical Museum of Crete

Maria Kasotaki, Head of the “Crete” Operational Programme Special Managing Authority

Spyros Dimanopoulos, PhD in Modern History, archivist at the General State Archives, Heraklion Prefecture, Managing Editor of the academic journal Cretica Chronica

Alternate Members

Nikos Zografakis, ret. Director of the Regional Fund of Crete

Irini Galli, Archaeologist at Heraklion Archaeological Museum