Welcome to the capital of the island of Crete, Heraklion, also called Heraklèion, Iraklion or Candia. Yes you rightly think "but a name was not enough?", Well for a city with many shades, it takes so many names!
Let us dwell for a moment on one of the names given to this splendid historical-cultural center as well as the tourist-commercial center: "Candia".
Candia comes from the Venetian dialect and means candid, like the pure white of the stone used to build the houses of Heraklion. But what do the Venetians have to do with Crete and specifically with Heraklion? The Venetians, along with the Turks, are the two dominations that most influenced the architecture and urbanism of Heraklion. The Venetian and Turkish footprints are clearly visible in this modern city and soon we will tell you better about these two peoples who are inextricably linked to the island of Crete.
But now let's get lost in this city and walk here and there. We start from the port and follow via August 25th, a street in the latest fashion where shops and offices follow one another and where the Cathedral of Saint Tito stands, built on an ancient Byzantine basilica, then converted into a mosque by the Turks and inside which it is guarded the skull of the Saint.
Proceeding we also find the Loggia, an example of Venetian architecture that in 1987 obtained the "Europa Nostra" award as the best preserved architectural work. At the end of this splendid street you will find yourself in front of the Lions Square, a lovely square dedicated to Venizelou Eleftheriou, one of the most important politicians of Crete. This square presents the imposing Morosini Fountain, which takes its name from the Italian governor Morosini, who built it. It is a splendid fountain decorated with mythological figures and boasting four lions and eight tanks. A work that you cannot miss.
Proceeding along the commercial avenue you will find yourself in front of the Heraklion market. Here you can buy everything you want: spices, local cheeses, honey, jewels and much more! Continuing on this walk you will find yourself in front of the Bembo Fountain, inside Kornarou Square, whose name is dedicated to the same builder who conceived it, Giovanni Bembo. You will be able to admire the columns and the central statue without head known once for its supernatural powers.
As you proceed, you will find other architectural works of great historical and artistic value, such as the Cathedral of the Patron Saint of Heraklion, one of the largest buildings in all of Greece and then you arrive at the Eleftherias Square, the beating heart of Heraklion where all visitors sit in several cafeterias and in the various restaurants, waiting to leave with some good shopping, given the large presence of all kinds of shops.
And now, after a quick walk, let us dwell more on what deserves special attention: the Koules Fortress, the Archaeological Museum and the Natural History Museum.
Koules Fortress and the Venetian imprint
As we said above, Heraklion is very much affected by the passage of the Venetians and Turks centuries ago, and as anticipated, we discover together where and when we can feel this strong influence.
You can certainly see the Venetian footprints in the Koules Fortress (also called Castle by the Sea or Rocca a Mare). This Venetian fortress dominates the Venetian port of Heraklion and is one of the most famous and beloved monumental symbols of the city. As well as the site of a disturbing legend that tells of Cretan rebels who were tortured within its dark and cramped environments. But we discover together its origin: the fortress of Koules was built for the first time in the sixteenth century by the Venetians (specifically between 1523 and 1540), who initially built a circular tower with large bastions.
With the advent of gunpowder it was deemed necessary to demolish the tower and build a bigger and more powerful castle in order to better defend itself from incoming enemies and following the Venetian defensive style, a front with ditches and large ramparts was built.
Downstairs there were cannons, ammunition rooms, weapons and a prison for the enemies. Upstairs there were the lodgings of the soldiers, officers and governor.
The winged Lions of San Marco that immediately catch the eye are the key testimony of the dominion of the Serenissima.
During the siege of 1646-1669, the Turks managed to get the better of it and came into possession of this powerful defensive post. Today the Fortress of Koules is home to art exhibitions, musical concerts and plays that with a location like this ... always have a great success!
Small curiosity: looking towards the sea from the ramparts, you can admire the island of Dia, now uninhabited but from 2700 to 1450 BC, it was the site of an important Minoan settlement.
Opening hours and costs:
From 1 June to 31 August (Open every day except Tuesday) 8.00 - 20.00
From 1 to 15 September (Open every day except Tuesday) 8.00 - 19.30
From 16 to 30 September (Open every day except Tuesday) 8.00 - 18.45
From 1 to 15 October (Open every day except Tuesday) 8.00 - 18.30
From 16 to 31 October (Open every day except Tuesday) 8.00 - 18.00
Adults: € 2
Children: € 1
Official Website: click here
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is the only museum in the world that houses a rich collection of frescoes and the largest collection of Minoan art in the world. We are talking about 15,000 artifacts, distributed in 22 rooms and covering 5,000 years of ancient history. These artifacts come from archaeological excavations that began at the end of the 1800s up until the present day and come from the Palace of Knossos, Festo and others less known, but equally indispensable in order to reconstruct thousands and thousands of years. What will strike you most, I assure you, are the frescoes that tell scenes of everyday life, religious themes and natural landscapes.
Here you will find two very important paintings: the Prince of the Lilies and .
Very famous is the famous Festo's Disc, one of the most famous mysteries of Cretan archeology. Today we only know that the disk is in terracotta, dating back to 1700 BC and shows 241 symbols imprinted in the clay when it was still fresh. But its purpose remains an enigma. In addition to this arcane disc you will also fall in love with the statue of the Goddess of Snakes: a goddess of the Minoan civilization better known as the Cretan Mother Goddess, linked to fertility, life and death. For the Cretan religion it would have been the Mother Goddess to create Crete to establish us who worshiped her. Stop to appreciate also the Rhyton, a container in the shape of a bull's head used in ancient times for religious functions and libations.
Inside the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion you will be intrigued by ceramics with different shapes and finely decorated, everyday tools, weapons, sculptures of exceptional artistic level, gold jewels and various jewels: all to take us back in time and make us relive scenes of everyday life.
But now let's dwell also on the building that carefully preserves this ancient and wonderful museum. The two-storey building is one of the most important examples of functional and rational European architecture and was built on the ruins of a Catholic monastery by the architect Patroklos Karantinos. The Museum is not only the home of prestigious finds but it is also a beautiful architectural work of enormous value! And it certainly is to add to the list of things not to be missed on the island of Crete. When you walk in, you'll agree with us!
Heraklion is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Greece and together with its splendid monuments and the Archaeological Museum it is one of the most precious treasures that we of the twenty-first century can admire!
To make it easier we leave you below the times and the entrance costs of the Archaeological Museum:
Timetables:
Monday and Wednesday to Sunday 08.00 - 20.00
Tuesday 10.00 am - 8.00 pm
Entry from November 1st to March 31st: € 5 for everyone
Entry from April 1st to October 31st: Full € 10, reduced € 5
Possibility to buy a single ticket for the Heraklion Archaeological Museum together with Knossos: Full price € 16, reduced € 8
Official Website: click here
The Heraklion Museum of Natural History
The Natural History Museum will allow you to discover the ancient past of the island of Crete by going through the Zoological, Botanical, Anthropological, Pleontological, Geological, Physical and Mining sectors of an ancient time that dates back to when the sea did not There were dinosaurs and in its place. Here you will find dinosaur skeletons, interactive and three-dimensional exhibits, interactive games for children, interesting visual material through an internal cinema, the physics explained through interactive material and an earthquake simulator so as to be able to better understand this phenomenon that always arouses so many doubts and questions, managing to fully involve adults and children.
Children always remain enthusiastic to the point of calling it one of the best days of their entire holiday in Crete!
Opening hours (From June 1st to September 30th):
Monday - Friday from 9.00 to 21.00
Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 21.00
Opening hours (From November 1st to April 30th)
Monday - Friday from 9.00 to 15.00
Saturday and Doemnica from 10.00 to 18.00
Cost of the ticket for adults: € 7.50
Ticket price for adults over 65: € 4.50
Ticket price for children aged 4 to 18: € 4.50
Ticket price for children under 4: FREE
Average travel time of the whole museum: about 2 hours
Official Website: click here
Nightlife in Heraklion
Heraklion is a big city rich in history and culture ... and not only! It's fun too. Unlike other destinations, it is much more elegant and quiet and the local people love to go to Heraklion in the evenings to spend with friends!
The city offers countless bars and clubs to go to when you feel like spending an evening full of fun! Well after an aperitif at sunset and a dinner in traditional taverns it is absolutely necessary to find a place in which to continue the evening to finish in style.
We suggest you reach Korai Street, a pedestrian street that teems with coffee with music of all kinds where you can enjoy a good ouzo-based cocktail (typical Greek liqueur) while you go wild. In this street you can find the Stone Cocktail Bar, an exciting minimal style bar where you can taste mojitos, daiquiris and martinis made by expert bartenders. We suggest you try the Mastiha Sour, an excellence based on the traditional Greek drink "Mastiha".
Then there is Chandakos Street where jazz, Latin and rock music lovers can take the mad joy!
Don't forget the square of Agios Titos, full of taverns and cafes open until dawn and in this lively little square, you can switch to the Dish Bar, one of the most popular destinations for lovers of Heraklion nightlife. Local and Mediterranean dishes, whiskey, vodka, liqueurs and Greek music guarantee an unforgettable evening, as always try not to overdo it with alcohol!
And of course the locals in the coastal avenue could not be missing, which in addition to offering music with top DJs, offer spectacular views of the beach and if you resist late you can enjoy the sunrise, a show!
If you prefer speak easy style bars you can go to The Bitters Bar, where you can taste distilled bitters with herbs and spices used in ancient times in medicine and which today are the ingredients of Bitters' particular cocktails!
In the center of Heraklion you will find the Privilege Club, famous djs and elegant locations are the guarantee of an evening that has nothing boring! Enjoy also the Itar, modern and jazz music in different rooms and with a lounge bar envied by many!
In short, you will understand that the nightlife in Heraklion is not lacking! Come and have fun here, the evenings you will spend will not forget them ... indeed they will remain the most unforgettable of your holiday in Crete!