Heraklion. Tourist guide for Heraklion Greece

Ελληνικά

ADVERTISING

CONTACT

Home page - Crete - Heraklion

Heraklion map

Destination

City of Heraklion

Heraklion is one of the most beautiful Mediterranean cities. It is a city that satisfies all the desires of even the most demanding guests. Heraklion is the largest urban centre in Crete, the capital of the region and the economic centre of the island of Crete. The city is also the commercial and scientific centre of Crete. It occupies a strategic position in the Mediterranean because it connecting three continents and many different cultures.

Hommages

Heraklion city Attractions

Heraklion is a city that boasts many attractions.
The Castle or Koula is located at the entrance to the Venetian harbour. The purpose for which it was built was to protect the residents from attacks. The built was adorned with carved lions from which some pieces are kept in its sides. Everyone can visit it and at its top it has developed an outdoor theatre. The name Koules is Turkish and the Venetians called it Rocca al Mare.
The most important task is the Venetian walls. Seven ramparts and two of the four gates are still preserved today. On the west side of the walls there is the Door of Chania. On her outer side there is a winged lion of St. Mark and the bust of Jesus Christ. Also a Greek inscription is carved on the outer side.
In the southern part of the walls there is the tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis, which are engraved the words: "I hope nothing, fear nothing, I am free." The view from there is wonderful.
The church of St. Titus is located in the St.Titus Square. It was originally built by the Byzantines and is a combination of Eastern and Western elements. The Venetians used it as a Catholic cathedral, while the Turks as a mosque. In 1856 it was destroyed by earthquake and rebuilt in 1872 on the old foundations and after certain amendments were made to work again as an orthodox church. Here it is kept the sacred skull of St. Titus.
The church of St. Markus which is at the Venizelos Square or otherwise Krinis Square was built by the Venetians. After the fall of Heraklion, the Turks turned the church into a mosque by adding a minaret, but in 1956 the church restored at its Venetian form. Today it is used as a House of Culture, as a space for the permanent exhibition of copies of Byzantine frescoes and as a concert hall.
The Cathedral church of St. Minas at St. Catherine's Square is one of the largest temples in Greece. It has a cross shape with four equal antennas and majestic dome.
The Morosini fountain is located in the centre of Venizelos Square. The square was a miniature of St. Mark's Square in Venice, and here are the remarkable administrative palaces and palace of the Duke. It was inevitable, therefore, be as garnish. Today the fountain has a central basin ridges on totes of four lions. Water poured in eight basins that interconnected themselves and are embellished with decorations from Greek mythology. Originally in the centre of the fountain there was a statue of Poseidon with a colossal trident in his hand, so called it fountain of Giant. The statue does not exist today and it is said that has been destroyed in an earthquake.

Beaches of Heraklion

The prefecture of Heraklion has many beaches with crystal clear waters such as in the northern part of the county as in the south. Some of them are:

Informations

How to get there

Heraklion
How to get there

By boat from Piraeus. By plane from Athens, Thessalonica, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos and Paros.

Useful Phones Heraklion

Heraklion
Useful Phones

POLICE: (+30) 2810 274010
HOSPITAL: (+30) 2810 392111
PORT AUTHORITY: (+30) 2810 244912
AIRPORT: (+30) 2810 397117
SUBURBAN BUS: (+30) 2810 245020

Description Heraklion

The prefecture of Heraklio is the most over-populated prefecture of Crete and assembles each year a big number of tourists from the all world. Its natural beauty with the gorges and the mountains (Dirfi) and its beautiful beaches create the best impression for this place.
Real awe cause the archaeological treasures of prefecture of Heraklio, as the Minoan Civilization (Knosos) that has come in the surface and thus contributed in the big touristic growth of region.
Beyond all them however, intense and pleasant impression cause to the visitors its residents that as descendants of Zeus, could not do otherwise than offer generously their warmth and hospitality.

Heraklion