The Basilica of Saint Mark is one of the most important Venetian monuments in Heraklion. It is located in the city center, close to eleftheria square, directly opposite the fountain of the lions. Today in the building of the Cathedral is the Museum of fine arts. It was founded in may 2000 K. Sisakian and is a non-profit organization. The main objectives of the Museum is to promote contemporary art, promoting the work of young artists of Crete, aesthetic and spiritual education of the population.

The Cathedral was built by the Venetians in 1239 in honor of their patron, St. Mark the Evangelist. At the time it was the main Cathedral of Crete. Here were held all the most important ceremony, and was buried in a special sarcophagus Venetian to know.

The Basilica has survived many earthquakes over the centuries shook Heraklion, but does not hurt much, and have had only minor repairs. In the period of the Turkish rule, the building housed a mosque. The society of Cretan historical studies in 1956, restored the building to its original form. Today the building houses a lecture hall Cretan Historical school and exhibition hall, which exhibited the Byzantine wall paintings of the XIII-XIV centuries.

In the Museum of fine arts offers educational and training lectures and workshops on art and artistic activities, events and conferences, concerts and other cultural events. The Museum provides its premises for the organization of various exhibitions, both public and private Greek and foreign collections. Also, the Museum is publishing.