| Founded in 1940, the Committee for the Collection and Protection of Medieval Artefacts was re-established and expanded in 1946, after the end of the war. From February to September of that year, when it ceased to operate due to lack of funds, it carried out exhaustive research into the state of Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish monuments in the town of Heraklion, as well as in rural areas in Heraklion and Rethymnon prefectures. This was aimed at gathering together, protecting and restoring medieval artefacts (sculptures, architectural elements, inscriptions, icons etc.). The committee’s activities led to several historical monuments in Heraklion being declared listed structures, including the Venetian shipyards. The Venetian walls were placed under protection, and restoration work was carried out on rural churches with frescoes. |