Heraklion is the largest city in Crete, located roughly in the centre of the north coast. Heraklion is the 4th largest city in Greece. The long history of Heraklion, the active life, its culture and ideal location are the reasons why it gathers a large number of visitors every year. Even though Heraklion Town is bustling, its history is still reflected on the townscapes. Strolling around the picturesque town of Heraklion Crete, you’ll see a beautiful Venetian harbor, a fortress, several fountains, a busy shopping center, and many squares.
Archaelogical Site of Knossos
Knossos is the heart of the Minoan civilization, according to tradition the seat of the legendary king Minos and the birthplace of thrilling stories, such as the myths of the Labyrinth with its Minotaur and of Daidalos and Icaros. The site was inhabited continuously from the Neolithic period (7000-3000 BC) until the late Antiquity. The Palace of Knossos is the largest (20,000 m²) and most spectacular of all the Minoan palatial centres. It has all the typical features of thearchitectural type established in ca. 1700 BC: four wings arranged around a rectangular.
Cathedral of St. Minas
The Agios Minas Cathedral is a Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Heraklion, serving as the seat of the Archbishop of Crete. It was built on March 25,1862 by theMetropolitan of Crete Dionysius of Adrianople Thrace. Its construction was interrupted during the Cretan Revolution of 1866 and finally completed at the beginning of 1895. The church was inaugurated on April 16, 1895 by Metropolitan Timothy A. of Crete. Saint Minas (Agios Minas in Greek) is the patron saint of Heraklion and his feast-day, on 11 November, is a public holiday.
Morosini Fountain
The fountain of Morozini (known as Lions) is one of the nicest Venetian monuments of Candia (current Heraklion). The fountain was watered by the spring of Karidaki and the watered traveled about 15km in a gigantic aqueduct. The fountain takes its name after the Capitan Generale Francesco Morozini. During his rule, the aqueduct was constructed to water the thursty town of Candia. Till then, most water came from wells and rain-storage tanks. The aqueduct was inaugurated on April 25th, 1628, i.e. on the feast day o Saint Mark, the protector of Venice.
Nikos Kazantzakis tomb
The Tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis in Heraklion Crete: Outside the walls of Heraklion, in the tower of Martinengo lies the tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis, the famous Greek writer whose books have been translated in many foreign languages. Nikos Kazantzakis was born in Heraklion in 1883 and in 1911 he left for the United States. Throughout his life, he received many critics, particularly from the Church, for the messages of his books.
Archaeological Museum
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is regarded as one of Europe most mportant museums. The present building was constructed between 1933 and 1937 to plans by P. Karantinos. The museum brings together archaeological finds from all over Crete, covering over 5500 years of the island history. Pride of place is given to the treasures of Minoan civilisation, the entire historical course of which can thus be appreciated. Justly regarded as the home of Minoan civilisation par excellence, the museum houses the most important collection of Minoan antiquities the world over.
Natural History Museum
Operating within the wider University of Crete framework, the Natural History Museum of Crete fulfils all the roles demanded of a comprehensive, modern museum by: keeping and developing collections, carrying out research into the natural world, contributing to teaching at all levels in the education system, promoting the unique nature of habitats in Crete and the Mediterranean. The museum’s impressive growth over the last decade reflects the competence and professionalism of its staff, as well as the growing need in society for proper information concerning the environment.
Historical Museum of Crete
Founded in 1953 by the Society of Cretan Historical Studies ( S.C.H.S.), the Historical Museum of Crete (H.M.C.) presents a comprehensive view of Cretan history from early Christian times to the present day.
Koules Fortress
The Fortress of Koules in Heraklion Crete: The Venetian Castle of Heraklion is called Koules, which means fortress in Turkish. It is an impressive fortress that surrounds the harbor of Heraklion, Crete. The Koules Castle is a massive fortress with two storeys that used to guard the entry to the port. The Castle was constructed by the Venetians in the early 13th century when they conquered the town. The earliest description of the Koules Venetian Castle exists in the work of the Florentine monk Cristoforo Buondelmonti in 1429.
