Written by: Mr. Routaki
April ’17
Iraklio is the official capital of the island Crete.
Since 1971 Iraklio is the official capital of the island. During a heavy earthquake in 1926 and again during world war two a large area of the city was destroyed. Many buildings dating from the Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish period were lost and were never rebuilt in the same style. They were replaced by boring concrete colossus. Because of the laws regarding earthquakes and a financial shortage, the building style was not very nice to look at. Therefore, Iraklio can come across as a chaotic and sometimes even dirty city with hardly any structure or parks.
Around 1900 Iraklio only counted about 12.000 inhabitants. The city started expanding in 1923 when large groups of Greeks were chased away from Turkey and settled on Crete, mainly in Iraklio. Nowadays the city counts about 150.000 inhabitants, which makes it the largest city on the island and the fourth largest city of Greece. The number of inhabitants is still increasing. Being the economical centre of the island, Iraklio draws many new inhabitants- especially youngsters- from the mountain villages. Also the University of Crete is established here and contributes to this development.
Follow the red wire and discover Iraklio
Important museums in Iraklio.
As the capital of the island, Iraklio hosts several significant museums such as the archaeological museum. It is regarded as one of the world’s most prominent archaeological museums and features artefacts from the prehistoric to historic periods, including masterpieces such as the Snake Goddess figure, the Prince of the Lilies and Bull-leaping frescos, as well as the clay Phaistos Disc.
Also the ‘historical museum of Crete’, situated at the recently renovated boulevard, is worth a visit. It exhibits paintings by El Greco. The only creations, of the in Heraklion born artist, to be found on Crete. Similarly, a collection of the famous writer and philosopher Nikos Kazantzakis. This collection consists of personal belongings and first editions of his publications.
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Koule, the coastal fortress at the city’s port is nowadays a restored monument, whose halls were once used for food and ammunition storage, and even as prison cells. Now it’s renovated and exhibits Venetian sculptures as well as underwater treasures retrieved by Jacques Cousteau in the surrounding regions and around the island of Dia. The fortress was originally built around 1530. It offers a panoramic view of the Gulf of Iraklio and the former mentioned island.
Fortifications of Iraklio, centre of activities.
The Venetian walls, which construction was initiated by the Venetians in 1462 and required 150 years to complete, are among the largest fortifications in the Mediterranean. Surrounding ‘the Old Town’, the walls featured seven bastions, seven main gates and numerous military gates, a moat and a gunpowder magazine.
Oasis, the 1.200 capacity Nikos Kazantzakis open-air garden theatre, is located between the Jesus and the Martinengo bastions. The celebrated writer’s tomb is situated within the latter, while they have made a permanent exhibition on his life and work in the Jesus bastion. The small-sized Manos Hatzidakis garden theatre is also situated in this bastion.
Beautiful sites and discoveries.
The Loggia, a masterpiece of Venetian architecture built between 1626 and 1628 as a meeting place for the nobility and officials, nowadays serves as the city’s Town Hall. Standing alongside it, the magnificent Agios Titos church features wonderful stained-glass art. Located really close is the Morosini or better know as ‘Lions’ fountain, on the Liontaria Square. This is one of Iraklion’s most striking monuments and generally used as meeting point in the city centre.
South east, at only a 5 km distance, from this vibrant city is the excavation terrain of the Palace of Knossos. Covering more than 2 hectares, it’s the largest of the Minoan period’s centers. Intricate and multi-leveled, it was discovered and restored, to a great extend, by British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans.