The Ministry of Culture has approved the filming, aerial filming and photography of archaeological sites in Crete, as part of the digital transformation project of the official tourism portal Visit Greece. The material will be used exclusively for the development of digital applications, without commercial use.

Expansion of digital content throughout Crete

The approval concerns the Ephorates of Antiquities of Heraklion, Lassithi, Rethymno, Chania and the Ephorate of Paleoanthropology and Speleology of the Region of Crete. The footage includes general photographs, aerial drone photography, 360° panoramas and short thematic videos from more than 100 archaeological sites.

The material produced will be used exclusively to support the work of the Greek National Tourism Organization and will not be made available to third parties or for commercial purposes.

Sites by Ephorate of Antiquities

Ephorate of Antiquities of Rethymno:

Archaeological site of Eleftherna, Archaeological Museum, Arkadi Monastery and Monastery Museum, Fortezza Fortress, Chromonastiri, Rethymno Prefecture.

Ephorate of Antiquities of Chania:

Ancient Kydonia, Archaeological Museum of Chania, Archaeological site of Aptera/Kastro, Monasteries of Gouverneto, Agia Triada of Tzagaroli, Agios Ioannis Erimitis, Gramvousa Castle, Venetian Wards, Chania Lighthouse.

Ephorate of Antiquities of Lassithi:

Spinalonga Fortified Islet, Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos, Archaeological Site of Latos, Panagia Kera, Ancient Olous, Kale Fortress of Ierapetra, Ancient Itanos, Toplou Monastery and Museum, Archaeological Site of Zakros, Fortress of Kazarmas of Sitia, Archaeological Site of Chamezio, Archaeological Site of Petras and Monastery of Kapsa.

Ephorate of Antiquities of Heraklion:

Palace Complexes of Knossos and Phaistos, Archaeological Site of Gortyna, Museum of Sacred Icons and Relics, Venetian Fortress of Koule, Monasteries of Hodigitria and Agarathos, Church of Agios Matthew, Kastello of Katalagario.

Ephorate of Paleoanthropology and Speleology:

Melidoni Caves, Idaion Andron, Milatos Cave (with restrictions due to winter conditions and works).

Terms and restrictions

Drone filming will be done within the fenced areas, during low-traffic hours and outside operating hours where required, in accordance with the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority regulation for unmanned aircraft.

Important monuments such as the palaces of Malia remain off-limits for photography due to excavations and infrastructure works. In the areas of Knossos, Phaistos, Koule and the Museum of Sacred Icons, filming will only be done in areas open to the public.

For safety reasons, photography and filming of Kastello Katalagari will only involve outdoor areas. Special arrangements are required for Fortezza Fortress, Arkadi Monastery and Chromonastirion Military Museum.