Fearsome half-bull half-man creature, the birthplace of the Father of the Gods of Olympus and origin of the maiden flight of mankind – welcome to Heraklion! Once a port town of arguably the oldest city in Europe, today a bustling city with lively tavernas and traditional cafes, inviting you to savor the kind and welcoming spirit and experience its historical atmosphere.
Rocca a Mare Fortress – Koules
This Venetian fortress had many names through the centuries: ‘Fort of the Sea’ during the Venetian rule, Su Kulesi, or Water Tower during Ottoman rule, which later evolved into Koules in the daily language of the Cretans. In its current form, it was built in the 16th century by the Venetians to fortify the protection of the port. The smaller tower that once stood in its place proved to be insufficient in the age of gunpowder and cannons. The fort consists of two floors, with 26 apartments on the ground floor all lit by large skylights.
This architectural masterpiece also hosts a permanent exhibition of the findings of the legendary oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau from the 1970s. 1
Venetian Walls of Heraklion
The city walls stand as the world’s best-preserved fortifications from the 15th and 16th centuries and took over a century to build. Cretan men aged 14 to 60 were mandated to contribute a week of unpaid labor annually to the construction. In addition to quarries, materials were also sourced from the ruins of the Minoan palace Knossos. 2
Knossos Palace
Considered Europe’s oldest city, Knossos was once the centre of Minoan civilisation and the capital of Minoan Crete. It is located about 5 km south of Heraklion, which in Minoan times served as the port town of Knossos. Palace in one form or another, was inhabited for several thousand years, starting somewhere in the 7000 BC and abandoned after its destruction around 1370 BC, which also marked the end of the Minoan civilization.
Knossos is steeped in thrilling Greek mythology. Legend has it that the Minotaur, a fearsome half-bull half-man creature, was trapped in the Labyrinth maze by his father King Minos, who ordered Daedalus and Icarus to build the maze. Later Athenian prince Theseus killed the Minotaur and managed to escape the maze with the help of a ball of thread given to him by the king’s daughter Ariadne who fell madly in love with the prince. Uff.
And let’s not forget – the maiden flight of mankind also departed from Knossos – with Daedalus and Icarus trying to escape after falling out of grace with King Minos.
The Knossos Palace archaeological site sprawls over an extensive 20,000 square meters, featuring over 1,500 rooms as well as village ruins in the surrounding hillsides. Be prepared to walk a lot! Highlights include the Throne room, the North Entrance with its charging bull fresco, pottery, and the famous Double Horns, sacred symbols of the Minoan religion. While renovations have altered its original appearance, the palace remains a captivating destination well worth exploring! 3
Archaeological Museum
For an even deeper dive into Crete’s history, a stop at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is a must. Admire the ground-breaking syllabic Linear B script, used for writing during Mycenaean times, the extraordinary Phaistos Disc that is yet to be deciphered, the intricacy of Snake Goddess figurines giving an insight into Minoan fashion, iconic Bull-Leaper’s fresco and outstanding example of Minoan artistry – The Bull’s Head rhyton, a drinking vessel carved from black soapstone. 4
Church of Agios Titos
The church is dedicated to Agios Titos, the first Bishop of Crete and guardian of the island. It is arguably the oldest church in Heraklion. The initial basilica was built in the 10th century after the Byzantine reconquest of Crete. It was later rebuilt as a mosque and operates today as an Orthodox church. 5
Morosini Fountain (Lions Square)
Despite its aesthetics, the fountain was constructed to bring drinking water to the city. This impressive sculptural piece was inaugurated in 1628 by the Venetian superintendent Francesco Morosini together with a 15-kilometre-long aqueduct.
Confusingly, the official name of the square is, “Eleftheriou Venizelou Square” after the former prime minister and leading figure in the struggles of Crete for the union with Greece. But you will hear the locals refer to it as the Lions Square. 6
Natural History Museum of Crete
Escape the midday heat and marvel at lifelike models showcasing Cretan, Greek, and Mediterranean ecosystems. Don’t miss the colossal Deinotherium Giganteum skeleton, or walk among fascinating dinosaurs! 7
Diktaion Andron, Psychro Cave (Zeus)
According to Greek mythology, Rhea gave birth to Zeus in a cave near ancient Lyktos, secretly from his father Kronos, who swallowed his children. Two caves match this description: Diktaion Andron near the village of Psychro, also known as Psychro Cave, and Ideon Andron over the Nida plateau in the heart of the island.
Psychro Cave, situated at an altitude of 1025 meters over the Lassithi Plateau, is among Crete’s most famous caves. A paved path with oak trees leads to the cave, with an optional donkey ride for the more adventurous. It is worth stopping to catch a breath and fill your lungs with thyme and sage-scented mountain air, enjoying the panoramic view of the plateau.
Passing the entrance you immediately feel the temperature difference. Inside, stalactites and stalagmites adorn the cave. Like a chandelier hanging over the lake is a massive stalactite aptly named “The Mantle of Zeus”. At the back of the lake, you can easily see a small area, where, according to legends, the Father of the Gods of Olympus was born. 8
Hersonissos
A short drive from Heraklion you will find the picturesque town of Hersonissos. Don’t be confused with the naming as there are actually two parts: the seaside former-harbor-now-resort part, officially named Liménas Chersónissou or the Port of Hersonissos, and the village of Upper or Old Hersonissos further inland, a typical Greek village surrounded with charming traditional restaurants. 9
Bonus tip: Greek Food
Start your day with a creamy freddo espresso and a bowl of Greek yogurt topped with fresh fruit. Don’t miss out on trying these traditional delights while exploring the area. Many restaurants offer authentic dishes, including appetizers like dakos, fried feta, and the classic Greek salad. Seafood lovers will enjoy grilled fish, seafood pasta, and shrimp saganaki, while meat enthusiasts can indulge in gyros, moussaka, and souvlaki. Treat yourself to a glass of wine with your meal for an extra special dining experience!
CRETAquarium
About halfway between Heraklion and Hersonissos, CretAquarium is another great place to escape the hot Mediterranean sun, especially if you’re traveling with the little ones.
With over 2500 organisms from 200 Mediterranean marine species, it boasts 60 tanks showcasing captivating underwater landscapes. You can admire diverse sea creatures, from hunter sharks and lobsters to colourful jellyfish and tropical Clownfish. 10
Crete – where to next?
We’d recommend renting a car to fully experience the lovely ambiance of the rest of Crete – stroll the cities of Agios Nikolaos, Rethymno, and Chania, mingle with lemurs in Amazonas Park, paddle the Lake Kournas, visit the waterfalls in Richtis and Kourtaliotiko Gorge, trek the Monastery Katholiko, Seitan Limania and Marmara Beach, and explore the caves of Matala Beach, palm trees of Vai Beach, pink sand of Elafonissi or alternatively blue waters of Kedrodasos Beach. If your rental insurance allows it, visit the turquoise waters of Balos Lagoon! Now if you’re ready, simply tap the thumbs-up on your way to the airport!
Sources:
- https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/history-of-crete/forts-and-castles-on-crete/koules-fort-rocca-al-mare-at-heraklion-port
https://www.meetcrete.com/fortress-rocca-mare-koules-heraklion/ ↩︎ - https://www.kastra.eu/castleen.php?kastro=heraclion
https://www.explorecrete.com/Heraklion/EN26-heraklion-walls.html ↩︎ - https://greeking.me/blog/crete/item/114-knossos-palace
https://www.heraklion.gr/en/ourplace/knossos/knossos.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minotaur ↩︎ - https://www.discovergreece.com/experiences/archaeological-museum-heraklion ↩︎
- https://www.greeka.com/crete/heraklion/sightseeing/heraklion-agios-titos/
http://www.travel-crete.gr/en/travelguide/agios-titos-heraklion/ ↩︎ - https://www.explorecrete.com/Heraklion/EN04-Heraklion-lions-square.html
https://www.destinationcrete.gr/monuments/morosini-fountain-heraklion/ ↩︎ - https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/history-of-crete/museums/nature-and-science-museums-and-collections/natural-history-museum-of-crete
https://www.greeka.com/crete/heraklion/sightseeing/heraklion-natural-history-museum/
https://www.nhmc.uoc.gr/en/ ↩︎ - http://www.travel-crete.gr/travelguide/diktaion-andron-cave
https://www.explorecrete.com/archaeology/dikteon-andron-cave.html
https://www.elissos.com/diktaion-andron-the-birthplace-of-the-father-of-all-gods-zeus/ ↩︎ - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hersonissos ↩︎
- https://www.cretaquarium.gr/en/discover/aquarium
https://www.greeka.com/crete/heraklion/sightseeing/heraklion-cretaquarium/ ↩︎
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