Heraklion, Crete, Greece

The weather warmed up really fast here in Greece. Typically, it's not summer yet, but visitors have already arrived to our islands.

This month, we travel (again) in Crete, this time in Heraklion, the capital city of the island. The urban landscape may not promise any hidden treasures, but the fact is that there are many things to see and admire, even if they are not all apparent in the first glance.

By Aliki Koutoura

Translated by Artemis Touli

Read this article in greek

Built on the hill of Kefala, the ruins of Knossos are risen, revealing the splendor of a distant era. Despite the changes that the passing time has made over the years, the palace continues to hold within it a bit of the shine of the past. Occasionally unique pieces of art have been found in the region, such as vases, with Linear B script, and the original wall, which are being hosted in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.

At 1866 st, a date to remember for the island, as at that year occurred one of the greatest revolutions in order for the island to be liberated from the Turkish yoke, the central market of the city is housed. Although not the main source of supply of local residents, the market remains so charming "old-fashioned", which continues to be considered a very special point in the city. Just because is one of the points which is continuously inhabited over the centuries, one can find by searching hidden traces of the old Heraklion, between or even within the shops! Typical example the Venetian arch into the grinder Koudouma!

Another famous street of Heraklion worthy to walk is the August 25 st, or else route 'error' (Plani) as satirically named. The August 25 street is pedestrianized and is the road with the beautiful neoclassical buildings in Irakleio. The buildings were built after the destruction of 1898 to give to the Heraklion a modern face of a big city. Named "Illusions street ," because he who comes from the port and see these beautiful buildings, forming a first image of the city that unfortunately contradicted then.

The Venetian walls, which in antiquity surrounded the old city, is another historic treasure of Heraklion, since within them was the center of political, military, industrial and commercial life of the whole island.

Crete is famous among other things for its beautiful beaches, so in the area of ​​Heraklion there are several of them. The Matala beach with golden sand, clear water, and the cult-rocks attract many visitors while attempting to regain the carefree image of the past decades for which we are known in the past. Near Matala is Kalamaki, like Como, for those who seek a quieter corner to take a swim. The beaches Keratokambos and Koudouma also offer moments of calm blue waters, away from the hustle and bustle of the city ...