Heraklion the capital of Crete
Heraklion is the capital city of the island of Crete and also
the commercial, administrative and industrial centre for the
whole island. It is the fourth largest city in the whole of
Greece and the largest on the island.
Although big, modern and busy it has lots of interesting sights.
Close to the modern port are the remains of the old Venetian
harbour with its Kastro and important defence work typical of
the Venetian period.
Churches include the church of the patron saint of the island,
Ayios Titos, which includes the holy relic of the Saint's skull.
It stands on a square of the same name in Heraklion Town. During
the Venetian occupation it was used as a Catholic Cathedral.
The Basilica of San Marco was built by the Venetians and is
dedicated to their own patron saint St Mark. It stands on
Venizelos (Krini) Square and is one of the largest churches in
Greece. During the Ottoman Empire it was converted into a mosque
and a minaret was added. In 1956 it was restored to its original
form and today is used as a literary institute, an exhibition
hall and a concert hall. The Cathedral of Ayios Minas is located
on St. Catherine Square and is one of the largest cathedrals in
Greece. Cross-shaped with four pillars, two impressive bell
towers and a magnificent dome it stands next to the charming old
church of St Minas.
The city boasts many beautiful buildings aside from churches
that are a legacy from the Venetians. The Loggia, perhaps, is
one of the most elegant Venetian buildings and is now used as
the Town Hall. The Vikelaia Library houses a collection of more
than 80,000 books which were donated to the Municipality of
Heraklion by Dimitrios Vikelas who was a Greek scholar of the
late 19th century.
One of the quaintest and most charming parts of the capital is
around the Haraklion central market place which runs from
Meidani to Kornarou Square. The area is lined with stores,
squeezed together, selling fruit and vegetables, cheeses, meat,
herbs and spices, souvenirs, cheap clothes and shoes. Near the
top of the market, at Karterou Street are the fishmongers. The
whole area is well supplied with cafes and tavernas. It is a
busy lively place and although it is no longer the place where
the city's inhabitants do their daily shopping it is still
buzzing with shoppers and visitors. This area has been inhabited
as a market place for centuries and if you look closely you can
still see the remains of old Heraklion. Look for the Venetian
archway inside the Koudournas coffee shop or visit Touli's
bakery where you can see a 16th century church that has been
enclosed by the buildings.
At Kornarou Square are the Turkish sebil and the Bembo fountain.
The sebil, a public fountain for quenching your first, was built
by an eminent Turk, Hatzi Ibrahim Agha, during the Ottoman
period. Today it is a very picturesque cafe. Next to the sebil
is the wonderful, Venetian Bembo Fountain which was constructed
in the 16th century and has been beautifully preserved.
The ornate Venetian Morosini Fountain with its four lions
spewing water from their mouths is located in the centre of
Heraklion at Eleftheriou Venizelou Square. Locally the square is
known as Lions Square. The Square is always bustling and is
surrounded by cafes and tavernas.
The 17th century Priuli (or Delimarkou) Fountain is just behind
the Bodosakeio School close to the Venetian Dermata Gate. It is
beautifully decorated with Corinthian type columns and elaborate
metopes. There is also a Turkish inscription which refers to the
Turkish pasha who managed to get the fountain working again.
The Archaeological Museum in Xanthoudidou Street and the
Historical and Ethnographic Museum in Kalokerinou Street have
very fine collections of artefacts of the region.
14km southwest of Heraklion is the village of Tylissos which was
one of the most important cities of Minoan times and where three
Late Minoan houses have been excavated which were destroyed in
around 1450 BC. The village is located in an attractive area,
surrounded by mountains, olive groves and vineyards. A little
further southwest is the village of Gonies, which spreads around
the slopes of a hill and offers superb views over the valley.
The large church Ayios Dimitrios dominates the tiny village.