Heraklion
Heraklion, Crete (Credit:Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commons)

Heraklion: The Cretan capital and centre of Minoan civilisation

The Palace of Knossos, the archaeological site of Phaistos, the fertile flatland of Messara, famous beaches, mouthwatering food, PDO wines

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OVERVIEW

The regional unit of Heraklion, one of the four regional units of Crete, borders on the regional units of Rethymno to the west and Lasithi to the east. The regional unit’s capital is Heraklion, the largest city of Crete and one of Greece’s major urban centres. Heraklion was Europe’s fastest growing tourism destination for 2017, according to Euromonitor, with an 11.2% growth in international arrivals. It is also the birthplace of renowned Greek artists like writer Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957), author of Zorba the Greek, and Domenikos Theotokópoulos or El Greco (1541- 1614) the famous painter, sculptor and architect. Within the Heraklion regional unit’s boundaries are a number of significant archaeological sites, most notably the Minoan-era palace complexes of Knossos and Phaistos. Both complexes evince Neolithic habitation from 7000 BC, but it is the rich finds of Minoan civilisation, which flourished approximately 2800 to 1450 BC, that command great attention.

.AT A GLANCE

Region unit’s capital: Heraklion Region unit’s area: 2,641 km2 Region unit’s Population (2019): 313,766 Climate: The warm to hot Mediterranean climate dominates the regional unit, except for the mountains which receive mild to cool winters.

.ADMINISTRATION

The regional unit Heraklion is subdivided into eight municipalities.


.MUNICIPALITIES

HERAKLION ARCHANES-ASTEROUSIA    PHAISTOS    GORTYNA   

HERSONISSOS      MALEVIZI      MINOA PEDIADA      VIANNOS    


.MUNICIPALITY OF HERAKLION

Area: 244.6 km2 Population (2011): 211,370

.HISTORY

Heraklion, whose name derives from the ancient Roman port of Heracleum, is home to the most visited landmark in Crete, the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the cradle of Minoan civilization (2000-1450 B.C.). The present city of Heraklion was founded in 824 by the Arabs  and was called Radth al Khandak (Castle of Handakas). The city became the capital of the “Emirate of Crete”. In the 10th century the Byzantines took control of the island and managed to stay in power till the beginning of the 13th century.  Afterwards, the city went under Venetian rule and was renamed, Candia. In 1669 the city was ceded to the Ottoman Turks after a siege of more than 20 years. Cretans rose in revolt many times against the Ottoman Turks, in 1770, 1821, 1866 and 1895. The long Turkish occupation ended in 1897. The city was part of the international protectorate of Crete (1897–1913) and then became part of Greece. During the 1941 German airborne invasion of Crete in World War II, the city suffered heavy damage from bombing. Heraklion became the capital of Crete in 1971.

.POINTS OF INTEREST

Knossos: The largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete which has been called Europe’s oldest city, and the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization and culture.

Koules: The Venetian fortress at the harbour gate, the Koules, also known as Rocca a Mare, is a massive, square building with thick defensive walls reinforced by the Venetians in the 15th century.

Loggia: The imposing Venetian building with its semi-circular arches was built in the 16th century and functioned as a club for the noblemen to gather and relax.

Μorozini fountain: This 1628 fountain aka the Lions fountain, a landmark for locals and visitors alike, was built during the Venetian times to be Heraklion’s source of drinking water.

Martinengo Bastion: A high point on the Walls of Heraklion where Kazantzakis’ tomb is located where it is written: “I hope for nothing, I fear nothing; I am free.”

Venetian Walls: Heraklion is surrounded on three sides by massive Venetian walls the best maintained fortress construction in the Mediterranean Sea.

Venetian Arsenals: This is where the Venetians had their ships repaired. They are situated across the road right at the front of the harbour, readily visible by the stone façade and massive archways.

Sculptures: statues and busts: Commemorating significant events and figures of the city’s and island’s history, like El Greco, Vitsentzos Kornaros, Nikos Kazantzakis and Eleftherios Venizelos can be found around the city.

Old Town: The narrow, steep streets of the Old Town will bring you back in the centuries of Venetian and Ottoman rule.

Old Market: Old Market street is another place worth the walk-around and you can find fresh food, especially vegetables and fruits from a rural garden.

Agios Menas Cathedral: One of Greece’s largest churches, is serving as the seat of the Archbishop of Crete. Ιt is dedicated to Saint Menas the martyr and wonderworker (285-309 A.D.), who is the patron saint of Heraklion.

. TOP BEACHES

Ammoudara: Golden sand and clean, clear waters only five minutes from downtown Heraklion. Amnisos Beach: with modern infrastructures for bathing, lifeguard, sea sports and other sea pleasure.

. GASTRONOMY

Heraklion offers visitors an array of dining options: From seafood delicacies (there is an abundance of fresh catches from the Mediterranean Sea) to wild greens, eateries use genuine and natural local ingredients and you can savor the essence of Cretan cuisine. Well known Cretan dishes are: “apaki”(cured pork inside vinegar), “skioufihta” (cylindrical pasta, drenched with hot butter and topped with grated dried anthotiros), “antikristo” (lamb or goat cooked across fire), lamb with “stamnagathi”, (a type of wild greens that grow only on the island). As for desert, try “lihnarakia” (sweet cheese pastries sold in most bakeries all year long and made in homes during Easter-time).

. WINES & DRINKS

Crete’s wine tradition is 4000 years old! Cretan vineyards cover 12.8% of Greece’s wine regions. The Geographical Indications for Cretan wines (from Heraklion) are as follows:
PDO Peza – Heraklion, PDO Archanes – Heraklion, PDO Dafnes – Heraklion
PDO Handakas – Candia & Malvasia Handakas-Candia – Heraklion

.SHOPPING

The Agora, the Market Street, runs alongside a shopping boulevard called 1866, after a Cretan revolt. Souvenir shops as well as stores with clothes, shoes, books and traditional products such as the famous Cretan olive oil, raki, local wine, honey, herbs, etc.

.FEAST, FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Dekapentavgoustos: On August 15 (or Dekapentavgoustos) the Greek Orthodox church commemorates the assumption of the Virgin Mary. This period also hosts some of the greatest Panigiria (festivals) in many villages of Heraklion. August 25: The celebration of Saint Titus in Heraklion Town. Saint Titus was the first bishop of Crete and is considered the protector of the island.

.RELIGIOUS SITES

Agios Minas Cathedral: Dedicated to Saint Minas, the martyr and wonderworker (285-309 A.D.), who is the patron saint of Heraklion.

The Cathedral of Saint Titus: The current church was built in 1869 and is an eclectic style square temple with a dome. In 2013, it was made cathedral of the Archdiocese of Crete.

Church of Saint Ekaterini: A picturesque sinaitic church with a Basilica design, houses an exhibition with works of art from the Cretan renaissance.

Church of Saint Mark: A former Roman Catholic church dedicated to the Venetian patron St Mark, it was built in 1239, primarily used by the local lords and officials of the island.

Church of Agios Mattheos (St. Matthew) of Sinai: Built in 1508 on the ruins of an earlier Byzantine church, is a very peaceful place worth a visit.

Saint Peter of Dominicans: One of the oldest monuments of architecture of the Cistercian monks, built in the early years of the 13th century. Located just next to the sea-wall, between the Venetian harbor and the Gate of Dermatas.

.ACTIVITIES

Water: For water lovers, scuba diving, sea kayaking, snorkeling, stand-up paddle (SUP), are just some of the options available. Land: With its stunning natural beauty, the city offers a wealth of outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing or canyoning, biking and more.

.ACCOMODATION

Both luxurious and budget hotels are available for your accommodation in the region of Heraklion. 

.TRANSPORT

Heraklion International Airport Nikos Kazantzakis: Located about 5 kilometres east of the city, it the second busiest airport of Greece after Athens International Airport. Port: Boats from Piraeus and the nearby Greek islands

.KEY MUSEUMS

Heraklion Archaeological Museum: One of the most important museums in Greece houses unique treasures of the Minoan civilization unearthed from Knossos, Phaistos, Malia and other sites.

Historical Museum:  Founded by the Society of Cretan Historical Studies in 1953, the museum’s collections include early Christian artifacts, stonework and decorative objects of Roman, Arab, Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish origin.

Museum of Natural History: Four floors full of content from dinosaurs, to earthquake simulation, many dioramas, technology and science displays.

Historical and Folklore Museum:  Exhibits objects from the early Christian times until the Second World War.

Cretaquarium or Thalassocosmos: The largest complex for marine research, technology and entertainment in the Mediterranean area, that has established its function and its development of scientific knowledge and discoveries in Marine Science.

.MAJOR EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS

>University of Crete >Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas

>Technological Educational Institute of Crete


.CONSULATES

GERMANY: Tel: (+30) 2810 226288 Email: iraklion@hk-diplo.de

BRITAIN: Tel: (+30) 2810 224012

NORWAY: Tel: (+30) 2810 225991 Email: norwegian.consulate.heraklion@gmail.com


TO DO & TO GO