Among the noteworthy exhibits at the Historical Museum of Crete are the two distinctive works by El Greco: ‘View of Mt Sinai and the Sinai Monastery’ (1570), displayed in the photograph, and ‘Baptism of Christ’ (1569), featured in the Hall of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art on the first level.

Domenikos Theotokopoulos, better known as El Greco, was born in Candia (Heraklion) in 1541. This era coincided with the influence of the European Renaissance, creating a highly conducive environment for the arts and letters in Crete. Clearly influenced by this cultural atmosphere, Domenikos delved into painting at a young age, quickly gaining acclaim.

Even before reaching the age of thirty, El Greco embarked on a journey to Italy in pursuit of knowledge and the latest trends in his art. He spent about a decade there, initially in Venice and later in Rome. The two paintings displayed in the Historical Museum of Crete are attributed to this Italian period of his life, dating back to the late 16^th century.

In 1576, El Greco made his way to Spain, where he settled permanently until his passing in 1614. Additional biographical details about the Cretan painter are available through two touch screens. These screens not only provide insights into El Greco's life but also enable visitors to zoom in on details of the aforementioned paintings and explore interesting comparisons with other works from the same era.