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    HERAKLION OF CRETE - TOUR

    Koules
    The Venetian marine fort, at the entrance of the harbor, was made for the control and for the protection of the area. The Rocca a mare, as it was called then, was built between 1523 and 1540.
    It is a solid building with 26 rooms on the ground floor, which were developed along a central corridor. During the Turkish occupation, these areas were converted into prisons.
    Heraklion of Crete    At the second level there are loopholes and spots for cannons. Approaching the fort, the marble reliefs are visible, depicting the winged lions, which is the symbol of Venetian domination.
    The locals usually take a walk, run or bike up to the edge of the wharf, at Faro, where the distance is 2.5 km

    Navigating the Venetian Walls
    It all began in 1462. The best engineer of Venice, Michele Sanmicheli, made designs and of more than 100 years of work by the Cretans, was built this imposing wall, 3 kilometers long with four gates and 7 bastions.
    The attacks against the fort were numerous, with the biggest one that of 21 years that ended only with the Turk’s gold (1648 - 1669). The wall never fell and did not have signs of bloody wars. This is the most beautiful walk around Heraklion, with breathtaking views, green and benches for rest.

    The best way to start the tour is from the bastion of St. Andrew, on the road of Ethnarchou Makarios. From here, as from the bastion of Sampionara (or Ammos) on the eastern edge of the fortification, it was done the raid and occupation of the Kastro from the Turks in 1669. Furthermore, in the northern rampart is the best balcony of Heraklion, overlooking the Cretan Sea.

    Heraklion of Crete. ChanioportaWalking to the city center, you will meet the second outpost of the Pantokratoras, and then, above Chanioporta, is the bastion of Bethlehem, which took its name from the small church of Our Lady of Bethlehem which was on the outside.
    The next bastion is the Martinengo, shortly after the Mesea Porta, next to the street of Plastiras. Along with that of the Almighty and of Vitouri were the strongest terrestrial bastions. Above the rampart is the tomb of Kazantzakis. It is the southernmost and highest point of the fortification from where is shown the full picture of the city.

    Crossing the parking of the stadium, there is the Kenoyria Porta, the bastion of Jesus. From this point onwards, the surrounding area has been formed, while the walls become "shorter" and the tall buildings prevent the view. Continuing on the dirt road and after the bastion Vitouri, the walk ends up to Square of Freedom.

    The total distance from the bastion of San Andreas is 2.5 km. There are exits from the walls in each bastion. In the first four, there are notes with details of their construction. At several points in the trench of the walls, recreational spaces have been created, with basketball or tennis yards, green areas with benches and small walking trails.

    The Fountains of Heraklion
    Heraklion of Crete. The Fountain of MeboApart from the Fountain of Morosini with the four lions, there are two other fountains. The first is the fountain of Mebo of 1588, located at the square of Kornaros, right there that the Old Market (Street 1866) ends up. It is decorated with Venetian coats of arms and a headless statue of the Roman period. Behind it there is a sculpture that depicts the Erotokritos and Aretousa, the heroes of the famous lyric poem of the Cretan Renaissance.
    The second most famous fountain is Priuli or Ntelimarkou, built in 1666, by Antonio Priuli, the general predictor. It is located south of the gate of Dermata, in the neighborhood of the Agia Triada.


    Photos from Heraklion of Crete

    Heraklion of Crete. The Venetian Walls Heraklion of Crete. Venetian Neoria Heraklion of Crete. The fountain Chaniali and the gate of Agios Georgios

    Heraklion of Crete. The fountain of Morozini



    TOUR IN HERAKLION

    The Eternal City
    Nowadays, the eternal city of Heraklion is changing face. New walkways have been built and the old buildings have been renovated. The best place to start your tour is the beginning of the road of August 25th, which is a pedestrian street and is opposite the castle of Koules. During the Venetian Occupation it was the major road as it was connecting the port with the Piazza of San Marco, which was the Dukes Palace. On August 25, 1897, the road was completely destroyed by the Turks, who killed about 500 Christians and 17 British soldiers.

    Walking down the street, you will see, on your right, the church of St Titus in the beautiful square. The initial construction took place after the liberation of Crete by Nicephorus Phocas, in 961 AD. Although it was converted into a Catholic church during the Venetian period, it did not lost its Byzantine elements. During the Turkish occupation it was transformed into a mosque and the temple, in its present form, was built from the scratch, since the former was destroyed by the earthquake of 1856. It serves as an Orthodox church since 1925.
    Heraklion of Crete. LoggiaShortly after St. Titus, on your left, you will see the Loggia, a building of unique architecture, which houses the town hall. During the Venetian occupation, it operated as a club, where the nobles and the rulers were gathering. The original construction was in 1541 and reconstructed in order to acquire its present form after 1628 by Francesco Morosini. After the disasters that suffered under the Turkish rule, when it was used as warehouse for guns, it was restored between 1961 and 1979.

    Heraklion of Crete. Basilica of San Marco - Municipal Gallery Just after, you will see the Basilica of San Marco, which now is the Mu-nicipal Gallery. The temple, which was dedi-cated to the patron saint of Venice, was constructed in 1239. It is three-aisled basilica with a portico on the west side. It had an impressive bell tower, which was demolished by the Turks in order to build the minaret in its place.
    Almost opposite the Municipal Gallery you will see the square with the lions, as the locals call it, because of the presence of the four marble lions that support the Morosini Fountain. This sculptural composition was made in 1628 by Francesco Morosini and the reliefs depict aspects from Greek mythology. Just across from the Lions starts the street of Daedalus, which is one of the first paved streets and one of the most commercial. Parallel to the Daedalus Street is the Korai Square, full of cafes. At the other end of the Daedalus Street is the Freedom Square. From here you get off easily in the Venetian port. There, you will see the impressive Neoria, where the galleys are built and repaired.

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