And there, at the highest point of Heraklion, overlooking the city and the sea, you find a simple, serene place where the forever free man rests.

Nikos Kazantzakis, a symbol of Crete; one of the most famous Greek writers whose books are the most translated. Widely known for Zorba the Greek book, that was filmed in 1964 with Anthony Quinn at the leading role.

Kazantzakis was born in the year 1883 in Heraklion, when the city was still under the Ottoman Occupation. He studied in Athens and abroad and he traveled a lot during his life.

His controversial books almost cost him the excommunication by the Greek Orthodox Church and at a time, the distribution of his books was forbidden.

Nikos Kazantzakis passed away in Germany. He asked to be buried in Heraklion and he had asked the phrases “I hope for nothing, I fear for nothing, I am free” to be engraved on his tomb.

His second, loving wife, Eleni is buried a few steps away.

Follow @kazatzakismuseum, the museum located in the historical village of Myrtia, that was founded in order to preserve the author’s memory and thoughts. The museum was founded by Yorgos Anemoyannis and found great support by Eleni Kazantzaki.

Link to the Kazantzakis Museum here