Heraklion - attractions

Contrary to the economic crisis in Europe, the Greek island of Crete remains one of the most popular tourist destinations. Its administrative capital, Heraklion, is rightly considered the cultural capital of Greece. The rich and ancient history of the city could not but find its reflection in its architecture and monuments, so there is something to see and the most demanding traveler, and the usual lover of shopping in Greece . So, we present you an overview of what to see in Heraklion.

Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

You can start your acquaintance with the historical past of the city by visiting the Archaeological Museum - one of the largest and most significant in the world. In its 20 rooms are collections of exhibits, primarily belonging to the Minoan culture, as well as demonstrating historical periods from the Neolithic and Greco-Roman domination. A unique exhibit of the collections of the Archaeological Museum is the clay disk from Festos, which depicts various hieroglyphs and signs that have not yet been deciphered.

Faced with the old times and succumb to its charm can be on the streets and squares of the Old City.

Heraklion - Fountain Morosini

In 1628, the Morozini fountain was built in Venizelos Square. It is decorated with mythological creatures (Tritons, Nereids, Gods) and marine dolphins. The water from the fountain flows from the mouth of the four lions. The purpose of the construction of this facility was to supply the city with water from mountain sources along the aqueduct.

Cathedral of St. Titus in Heraklion

Behind the Venetian Loggia is the Byzantine church of Agios Titos (or St. Titus, the heavenly patron of Crete), built 961 years ago. It houses an important shrine of insular importance - the head of St. Titus.

The Venetian Loggia of Heraklion

In the northern part of the Old Town there is a building of the Venetian Loggia, built in the first half of the 16th century, adorned with elegant arcades, a place where noble families and aristocrats gathered to solve political issues.

Cathedral of Saint Minas

This religious monument is considered one of the most beautiful places in Crete and Heraklion. In the soothing atmosphere of the temple, you can admire its decoration and frescos and frescos on the walls endlessly.

The Venetian fortress of Heraklion

At the entrance to the port of Heraklion, the Venetian fortress Kules, built in the middle of the 16th century, is located. This structure served as protection against attack from the sea (the thickness of the walls reaches 9 m). To date, there are 2 two gates and seven bastions, each of which is a two-story building, where exhibitions, performances, concerts are held.

Knossos Palace in Heraklion

Another attraction with world renown, which can be seen near the city of Heraklion, is the Palace of Knossos. The structure was erected under the guidance of the ancient architect Daedalus for King Minos as early as 1700 AD. and is the main monument of Minoan culture. The palace figured in Greek mythology as a labyrinth, in which lived a half-man-half-swinging Minotaur. In fact, the Palace of Knossos, whose total area is 16 thousand square meters. m, is a huge number of rooms, chaotically constructed at different levels. They are connected by stairs, corridors, passages, some of them go deep underground. There are no windows in this palace at all, they were replaced by openings in the canopy - light wells. Tourists will be offered to admire the famous columns of red, tapering to the bottom, as well as huge staircases between the floors.

As you can see, the sights of Heraklion are worthy to attract your attention!