The House of Napoleon is a small two-storey home in the narrow lanes of Kato Mera, Ierapetra’s old town. Local tradition holds that Napoleon Bonaparte stayed here in 1798 while travelling to Egypt, though the story is not historically proven. The building is usually closed, so plan to admire its exterior: look for the low entrance door and commemorative plaque. Its old-town setting also makes it easy to pair the stop with a walk to the Venetian Kales Fortress or the Ottoman School.
The story behind the house
Local tradition connects this home with Napoleon Bonaparte’s journey to Egypt in 1798. The account says he spent a night in Ierapetra, but the stay has not been historically proven. The building is remembered as part of the town’s local history rather than as a museum with an exhibition inside.
A stop in Kato Mera
The house stands in a narrow lane in Ierapetra’s old town, opposite the fishing port and Kales Fortress area. Its entrance door is notably low, and a commemorative plaque marks the building. The nearby Ottoman School, in Town Hall Square, houses finds from the area dating from the Minoan to the Roman era.
FAQ
Where is the House of Napoleon?
It is at Napoleon 9 in the Kato Mera old town of Ierapetra, Crete.
Can you go inside the House of Napoleon?
The building is usually closed, so visitors should plan to see it from outside.
Did Napoleon stay at the house?
Local tradition says he spent a night there in 1798 while travelling to Egypt, but the story is not historically proven.
