Heraklion Crete

Heraklion or Iraklio as it is called by the Hellenes, is the capital of Crete and we find it on the north east side of the island.

Fourth most important city in all of Greece, Heraklion is modern and lively, a respectable cultural and economic center as well as a pleasant tourist resort. Excellent as a base for exploring the island rich in history and tradition.

Nowadays it has a cosmopolitan aspect offering everything that awaits us from a great metropolis from trendy clubs, cafes, cultural aggregation centers, a very active port where trade offers enormous possibilities as well as being an important point for cruises that all year round they bring thousands of tourists to know this magnificent land.

Its center to visit on foot is a fusion of the new and the old where the long foreign dominations ranging from the Venetians to the Ottomans have left their mark without entering into conflict with modernity.

There are many things to visit in Heraklion and believe us the time will never be enough to see them all unless you decide to stop and live at least a year, however you can still take home a good cultural background if for your holidays in Greece you will decide to pass through here.

The city is located about six kilometers from the famous Knossos Palace, the largest populated center of the Minoan era. Heraklion was actually the port of Knossos from 3500 to 2100 BC which unfortunately was completely wiped out with the eruption of the adjacent Santorini which covered the whole island with ash.

After the Minoan period, the Romans arrived in Crete who began to rebuild the area but failed to give the previous splendor thus slowing down the development of the area. Let's say, therefore, that the royal foundation of Heraklion takes place in 824 at the hands of the Arabs who, led by Abu Hasf Umar after being expelled from Alexandria, conquered Crete, becoming its first Emir. He built a large moat around the town to protect it from attacks by invaders, however, allowing pirates to take refuge in the port.

In 961 it was conquered by the Byzantines with the commander Nikephoros Phokas who after a year of struggle manages to drive out the Saracens by sacking and razing it to the ground and then rebuilding it in the Byzantine style. For 243 years Heraklion remained in the hands of Byzantium until 1204, when it was bought by the Republic of Venice and where the crusaders restored the Roman emperor Isaac II Angelus to power.

With the arrival of the Venetians, Heraklion begins to shine again as fortifications, a large wall up to 40 meters thick, 7 bastions, widened the moat and erected a fortress in the port are built. In 1212 many important Venetian families moved to Heraklion or Candia (this was the ancient name of the city) thus allowing the development of the arts which mixed with the different Byzantine culture gave rise to the Cretan Renaissance period.

Then follow the Ottomans in 1648 who took 21 years before being able to conquer the city. During the occupation, the port was put into disuse thus transporting all ships to the port of the city of Chania which is located on the west side of Crete, thus becoming the capital of the island. In 1898 the autonomous state of Crete was created and between 1898 and 1908 it was part of the British zone. In this period it was given the name of Heraklion returning to be the capital and finally in 1913 it became part of the Kingdom of Greece.

Let's start with the Archaeological Museum, one of the most important in all of Europe where the largest collection of Minoan art is preserved with 15 thousand artifacts ranging from Neolithic to Greek Roman. A large building with a chronological path where it will be possible to discover how active the economic, artistic and social life of Crete was. For more information, consult the site where you will find all the specifications https://heraklionmuseum.gr/.

Knossos Palace on a hill in the Kefala area a few kilometers from the city destroyed in 1628 by the Santorini cataclysm. A majestic complex of 20 thousand square meters where the legendary King Minos resided and where the Labyrinth with the ferocious Minotaur was located. Do not miss the Piccolo Palazzo in the west, the villa of Dionysus with prestigious mosaics. Also worth visiting is the Throne Room in intense red tones with the Queen's apartments, real works at the forefront of the period with a sewer system and tanks for hot and drinking water. The most beautiful frescoes found in Knossos can be admired today in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.

Castello a Mare or Koule as it is called, a fortress built during the Venetian domination. It was built to defend the port from invaders with two majestic towers inside that offer a magnificent view over the city. In the distance the Dia island, now uninhabited, but which between 2700 and 1450 BC housed a Minoan settlement. The area is also very special for a walk where you can enjoy the lifestyle of the fishermen and the island.

Morosini Fountain or Liondaria in Greek: in the central square Piazza dei Leoni or also called Piazza Venizelos, there is the stupendous fountain of 1628 commissioned by General Francesco Morosini. Built over a spring, it was used by the population to draw water made drinkable thanks to a hydraulic system designed by the Venetians. In white marble and in the Venetian style, in the lower part it has bas-reliefs with mythological figures, dolphins, tritons and nymphs, in the upper part there are four lions where water gushes from the mouths.

Agios Titos or the Italianized Church of San Tito. A Byzantine-style church built in honor of St. Titus, the first bishop of Crete, patron saint of the island and traveling companion of St. Paul. In 961 AD the Byzantines raised the temple and in the period of the Serenissima it became the seat of the archbishop but with the arrival of the Turks, it was transformed into a mosque. Today you can admire the beautiful stone facade with a mighty wooden door, inside instead three naves and the relics of the skull of San Tito preserved in a silver box.

The Loggia is a 16th century Venetian construction, public building and part of the Town Hall building with the Palladian style. With two floors with arches all around, it was in ancient times the point where the nobles met to talk about trade and politics. Also the work of Francesco Morosini is located near the Basilica of San Marco.

The St. Mark's Basilica is considered one of the most important Venetian buildings in the city of Heraklion as well as a testimony of the love for the Serenissima. Built in 1239, it was used to celebrate administrative ceremonies and where Venetian nobles were buried. A covered portico in the southwest part was a tower with a clock facing the Piazza dei Leoni, the exact copy of the one found in San Marco in Venice. During the Ottoman occupation it was transformed into a mosque and the tower demolished to be replaced by a minaret, which was destroyed when the Greeks finally got rid of the Turks.Today it houses the Municipal Art Gallery.

Cathedral of San Mina' It is considered one of the largest churches in Greece and is dedicated to the saint in gratitude for his protection towards the inhabitants during the Turkish domination. Strongly desired by the population to the point that when the money for the reconstruction of the temple ran out, a human chain was formed to be able to transport the material from the port and finish the majestic work. Begun in 1962 by the architect Athanasios Mouissa, the altar is decorated with silver and bronze coins from different countries. The structure has three naves with a beautiful red dome and two bell towers. Inside you can see frescoes from the Byzantine school. San Minà is the patron saint of Heraklion and his feast is celebrated on November 11th.

Another fountain considered the oldest in the city is the Bembo Fountain, built between 1552 and 1554 at the behest of Gianmatteo Bembo, who provided the first aqueduct in Heraklion. From the Renaissance style in the main part there are the heraldic coats of arms of Alvise Gritti, Duke of Crete and his advisers Giovanni Tiepolo, Giorgio Emo and Pietro Martin. Surrounded by columns in its center is a headless statue from the village of Ierapetra which is located in the southeastern part of Crete and which according to legend has supernatural powers. The water collection tank dates back to the Roman period.

However, Heraklion is not just history, being also a city that hosts a university, it has a lot to offer from the point of view of nightlife.

Its center appeals not only to young people, but also to adults as it is not super noisy or extremely transgressive, but more elegant with a myriad of bars, ouzeries and clubs where you can have a colorful drink while chatting with old and new friends . We start with Korai Street, a pedestrian area with niches with live music, in Chandakos Street, instead where there are clubs with Greek music, jazz, and rock, then moving on to the square of Agios Titos where you can meet cafes open even until late , to reach Agios Minas where you will find old taverns to taste the traditional flavors of Crete. The seafront is the perfect area to end with a flourish contemplating the sea and waiting for the sun to rise.

For lovers instead of crazy nights, surely you have to move towards Hersonissos which is about thirty kilometers from Heraklion or Malia at thirty-five. Here rivers of young and very young people gather in nights based on music, drinks and parties with international DJ.

The city beach called Ammoudara beach is about five kilometers long and is well equipped. The coast is sandy and the sea is still clean in the city. Definitely not comparable to the wonders found moving a little from Heraklion, but still perfect for a day of leisure.

Ultimately, a beautiful town full of everything, where it will be very pleasant to spend at least one day walking and admiring its charm. Put it on the list of things to see in Crete, it will be a different parenthesis of your holiday.