| Heraklion (also known as (Iraklion or Iraklio), is the | | | | surrounded by 12 small fortresses, whose ruins have |
| capital of Crete and a window to the world - the | | | | been preserved to this day. |
| centre of its economy, commerce and development, | | | | In addition, there are many churches that have beautiful |
| as well as the heart of its tourism and cultural activities. | | | | decoration and valuable hagiographies. • The |
| 5km east of the city is the Heraklion International | | | | Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is one of the |
| Airport, Greece's second largest and second busiest | | | | most important museums in the world. It is located near |
| airport. The city is also a major port of call for cruise | | | | Eleftheria Square and has one of the largest and most |
| ships and cargo liners. | | | | important collections of Minoan exhibits. • Agia |
| HERAKLION IS AN INTERESTING CITY FAMOUS | | | | Aikaterini, located on the same-named square, houses |
| for its historical monuments, as well as for its beauty. It | | | | the Museum of Ecclesiastical Art with unique |
| attracts hordes of tourists from around the world. The | | | | hagiographies from the Cretan School and |
| old districts of Heraklion remind us of the old Turkish | | | | ecclesiastical artefacts. • On the same square is |
| city, surrounded by the imposing Venetian walls. The | | | | the Cathedral of Agios Minas, an imposing 19th-century |
| modern district, however, extends beyond the fortress | | | | building, while in front of it is the original church of Agios |
| and gives the impression of a megalopolis. | | | | Minas, a medieval building with interesting decoration |
| The city boasts a large number of squares, such as | | | | and icons. • The Byzantine church of Agios Titos is |
| Trion Kamaron (or Eleftheria Square), Eleftherios | | | | located at the archaeological site of Gortyna. In one of |
| Venizelos, etc. Facing the harbour is the uninhabited | | | | its chapels, there are traces of 7th-century murals. |
| island of Dia, which is occupied by rabbits. The locals' | | | | • Ancient Amnissos (the ancient port of Knossos). |
| favourite promenade extends between Eleftheria | | | | The region is closely linked to the mythology and |
| Square and Bendenaki, i.e. the northern coastal section | | | | history of Crete. Excavations brought to light a Minoan |
| of the wall. | | | | mansion dating back to around 1600 B.C. • The |
| One of the city's best attractions is the internationally | | | | Cave of Eileithyia, 1 km south of Amnissos, was a |
| renowned Minoan Museum which is unique in the world | | | | place of worship. According to mythology, this is |
| because of the large number of Minoan artefacts. It | | | | where Hera gave birth to Eileithyia, the goddess of |
| houses the famous Knossos murals, the Agia Triada | | | | childbirth. • The archaeological site of Archanon, |
| sarcophagus, the amazing snake goddesses, the | | | | where a stone-built Minoan mansion was found. • |
| Phaistos disc with the undecipherable Minoan scripture, | | | | Anemospilia, the cave at the foot hills of Mount Juktas, |
| etc. | | | | where a human sacrifice was recently revealed, the |
| SIGHTSEEING: • The History Museum of Crete | | | | only one to be related to Minoan Crete. • The |
| contains interesting religious and ethnological exhibits | | | | archaeological site at Malia is one of the most |
| found on the island in the first Christian centuries and | | | | organised. It was inhabited since the Neolithic Age and |
| after. • The Morosini Fountain is found in the central | | | | has two palaces, both contemporary to the ones at |
| square of Heraklion and was built by Venetian General | | | | Knossos and Phaistos. • The archaeological site of |
| Fancisco Morosini. It is decorated by four lions. | | | | Knossos: Just 5 km from Heraklion is the largest |
| Abundant water runs from their four open mouths, | | | | Minoan palace and one of the most important |
| while their backs support a large marble basin • | | | | archaeological sites of Greece. The Palace of |
| Koules is the Venetian castle located at the entrance | | | | Knossos flourished for more than 3,000 years. • |
| of the harbour. It was built in 1523-1540. The three lions | | | | The archaeological site of Phaistos: You will admire the |
| of St. Marc are found there. • The Venetian walls | | | | old palace, which contains ruins of Hellenistic and |
| of Hand aka: this is an important fortification work of | | | | Roman buildings, above those of the ancient city. |
| the time. Its building took the Venetians 100 years. It is | | | | |