Such an exhibition took place for the first time in Greece -if not internationally- as its content extended further than strictly holography by combining 3D stereoscopic imaging with education in basic optical principles through optical paradoxes. The inauguration of the show was done by the Governor of the Region of Crete Mr. Stavros Arnaoutakis in the presence of representatives of local administrative and academic communities. The Museum of Optics (Optimus) of the reknown ITMO Univ. of St. Petersburg, Russia as well as the Institute of Electronic Structure and Lasers of the Foundation for Research and Technology of Crete IESL-FORTH) largely contributed in the organization of this exhibition.View here all the contributors to this success. 

The aim of this show was to familiarize visitors of all age-groups with the basic principles of Optics through simple hands-on experimental setups, with the strange travel of Light in Nature through the explanation of various optical phenomena in nature and with the latest developments in the field of stereoscopic 3D-imaging and applications. Clearly, on account of the thematic of the Museum, the selection of individual topics of various exhibits had to focus on natural world phenomena such as Aurora, thunderstorms etc., the animal and plant kingdom, fisheries and insects, minerals with optical properties and so on. For this purpose, it was agreed -for instance- that the themes of the magnificent items in the World of Holography, which would constitute the main core of the exhibition, should comply within this framework.  READ MORE...

After 18 months of continuous operation and numerous extensions within 2014, the exhibition titled "LIGHT MYSTERIES: Holograms, 3D and Optical Illusions" organized by the Hellenic Institute of Holography (HiH) at the fabulous Natural History Museum of the Univ. of Crete in Herakleion came to an end in May 2015. During this time, the exhibition justified in full its initial aim to serve as a test pilot event for future impementation. Individual exhibits, setups and notional modules were tested in real-life for their efficiency, acceptance by public, suitability for various age-groups, endurance to use, safety compliance, layout functionality, supporting infra-structure, maintenance requirements, software repeatability and communication of custom-developed educational content.

No extra ticket fee was charged for access to this exhibition as it was incorporated as a supplement to the permanent Museum content syllabus on offer. Therefore, attendance can be deemed only as an estimate based on the overall number of visitors to the Museum. For a period of 18 months, it is estimated that a total of 88,000 visitors appreciated and enjoyed its content. During summer months with peak in incoming tourism (a not-to-be-missed venue in TripAdvisor), the majority of visitors were of foreign origin whereas school classes from all the island of Crete were naturally the dominant group during autumn and winter more quiet periods. READ MORE...