Heraklion
Heraklion
As the peripheral parts of Heraklion do not really abound in beauty, you can admire the historical monuments on your visit of the old part of the city, hidden behind the concrete wall of buildings in the eastern part, and the industrial suburbs in the west.
Heraklion historical sites
The town landmark is a Venetian fortress built between 1523 and 1549 that protected the entrance into the port and served as a point of defence during the Turkish siege. Today there are concerts and theatre performances being held in its courtyard. The old Venetian port in Heraklion serves as an anchorage of fishing boats and yachts, with armouries nearby that served for boat repair.
Among the most significant churches in Heraklion, we can find the Byzantine church of Saint Titus that was named after the first Cretan bishop. During the Turkish occupation, it was converted into a mosque which was then destroyed by an earthquake in 1858. The current edifice is from 1925. Other remarkable buildings in Heraklion include a former Venetian loggia from 1627, located on the Platia Venizelou square - today the main point of Heraklion social life.
The biggest tourist draw in Heraklion is the Archaeological Museum - Kretikon Museion, with its exhibits competing with the National Archaeological Museum of Athens in terms of their significance and scope. Its collections are the vastest overview of the Minoan culture in the world. The findings are arranged chronologically in 16 halls and their thorough visit will take you at least one day. Near the archaeological museum, there is a bus stop, so, you can get there easily also using public transport and visit Knossos at the same time, for example. In Heraklion, you will also find the Museum of Religious Art with its paintings and unique icons placed in a church on the Saint Catherine Square, the Historical Museum with Cretan folk art and collections from the battles for Crete from different eras. The historical museum includes the study Nikos Kazantzakis (a diplomat, poet and the author of the novel Zorba the Greek), with his tomb located in the southern part of the fortress ramparts.
Transport in Heraklion
Transport in Heraklin is quite chaotic, and so, to visit the city, the best option is to park your car near the bus terminal close tot he port.
Where else to go on Crete?
Some of the most visited resorts on Crete are: Adelianos Kampos, Agia Fotia, Agia Galini, Agia Marina, Agia Pelagia, Agios Nikolaos, Achlia, Amoudara (West of Heraklion), Analipsi, Anissaras, Bali, Damnoni, Erimoupoli, Ferma, Fodele, Galini, Georgioupolis, Gouves (Kato Gouves), Heraklion, Hersonissos, Chania, Ierapetra, Kavros, Elounda, Kalamaki, Kissamos, Kokkini Hani, Kolymbari, Lygaria, Makrigialos, Maleme, Malia, Matala, Mirtos, Missiria, Paleochora, Panormos, Perivolia, Pigianos Kambos, Plakias, Platanias (Chania), Rapaniana, Rethymno, Sissi, Skaleta, Stalida - Stalis, Stalos, Stavromenos and Stavros,
Lokalita
The nomos of Heraklion is located between the mountain ranges of Ida in the west and Dikti in the east, with the resorts nearby being the most visited ones. The interior of the Heraklion region is formed by a hilly area with the characteristic fields covered with olive groves and vineyards, while in the south there stretches a vast and fertile plateau of Messara with the river Gerapotamos. It was on the area of this very region where the highest number of Minoan historical sites was discovered, including Knossos, Malie, Faistos, Agia Triada and Gortis. The north and the east coast of the region has been connected by roads since the Minoan era, passing through a beautiful landscape. In the south of Heraklion, you will find beautiful, mostly sandy beaches.
Jak se tam dostanu
The capital city of Crete, Heraklion, lies approximately in the middle of the north coast. About 80 km away, you will find Rethymno, Hania can be found about 130 km far, when driving to the east, after 70 km you will arrive at Agios Nikolaos, after 130 km to Sitia, and in the south, there is the town of Ierapetra located 110 km far away.
Area: |
Crete |
Type of resort: |
Rušné |
Activities at the resort: |