HERACLEION

General Information

The homeland and capital of the famous Minoan civilization, the prefecture of Heracleion remains the capital of Crete to this day. With a size of 2641 sq.km it is also the largest prefecture, and the most densely populated, as it has a population of nearly 300000 inhabitants. Its has a fully developed tourist industry, as well as a significant overall industrial growth. The archaeological sights of Knossos, Phaistos and Malia are renowned worldwide, as they are among the most important and spectacular in the world, reflecting the glory of the first great European civilization, which flourished nearly 5000 years ago.  

History - Culture

Though the broader region has been inhabited since the Neolithic era, nothing of this period ?at least, nothing that has been found to this day- predisposes for what was about to follow. Neolithic settlements existed, but there were others, far more advanced in mainland Greece, as well as on other islands. Sometime around 3000 BC, the Minoan civilization broke out. It flourished all through the 3rd millennia BC, to become the most advanced civilization of its time between 2000 and 1600 BC, when it met a sudden, abrupt end that continues to puzzle historians and archaeologists. Knossos, Phaistos and Malia are first-rate archaeological sites, all featuring complex royal chambers and palaces, sophisticated construction plans, irrigation and sewage networks, the likes of which are rarely seen even in some modern cities. This prosperity was terminated sometime between 1600-1500 BC, and the most probable explanation is that we have proof of a devastating explosion of the volcano in nearby Thera (Santorini) in that specific period, which, among other devastating effects, must have produced tidal waves that wiped out the dreaded Minoan fleet and all the cities of the northern coastline with a single stroke. Nevertheless, the region quickly recovered to prosperity, but never to a level comparable to what had preceded. The battered Minoan dynasty was succeeded by a Mycenaean dynasty, the house that spawned Idomeneas, one of the greatest heroes of the Trojan War. A respectable prosperity  continued until the 6th century BC, when a gradual decline can be observed in all fields, which was completed in the Roman years. At that time, the capital city was Gortyna. The prefecture went through many phases and its course is similar to the one of the entire island. During Byzantine times, the Empire could not support Crete with strong defensive forces, and the island suffered countless pirate raids and invasions by Arabs, Saracens and Venetians, the latter gaining hold of many strategic positions of the island. They, in turn, lost their prized conquest to the Turks, who encountered great resistance by the local populace for a period of 21 years (1648-1669). During this period of time and until 1850, the city of Herakleion was the capital of the whole island. The Turkish occupation was a dark and bloody period for Crete and, of course, for Herakleion. In 1898, and after ceaseless small revolts and countless skirmishes, an autonomous Cretan state was formed under Turkish sovereignity. Finally, in 1913, Crete, and consequently the prefecture of Herakleion, was annexed to the rest of Greece. In World War II, the city of Herakleion was devastated by German bombings, but the Cretans once more proved their mettle, delaying the German forces significantly, thus buying invaluable time for the forces of the allies fighting in Russia and Africa.

Sights

Listing the sights and monuments of Heracleion is an arduous task, just as leaving out any of them is unfair. There are signs and sites that reflect every period of its history, beginning form the palaces and cities of the Minoan era; Knossos, Phaistos and Malia are world-class archaeological sites, while the site of ancient Gortyna is also of great significance and interest. More archaeological sites can be seen in Rizinia and Archanes. Venetian constructs and architecture can be seen all over the central parts of city of Heracleion, with the castle being the most impressive remnant of this era. There are also many churches and monasteries, more castles and towers, a genuine sightseers? paradise. The landscape of Herakleion has a most interesting morphology and is abound with natural beauties, impressive caves such as the one of Eilethyia, imposing mountains, vast beaches and an exciting overall scenery.

Entertainment-Sports-Shopping

Few places worldwide can match what Herakleion has to offer. To complement their rich cultural and historical heritage and their astounding natural setting, locals have developed an infrastructure that facilitates full and comfortable enjoyment of all or a selection of the features of their homeland. Within the city of Herakleion, the visitor can find anything he could wish for. There are night clubs, bars, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, coffee shops, pastry shops, sporting facilities, hotels, shopping malls, traditional marketplaces and a vibrant lifestyle. The services offered are beyond comparison, and include more than 15 top-of-the-tops quality resorts that guarantee visitors an unforgettable stay. Numerous other facilities meet the needs of less -though not non- demanding visitors. Water sports activities are offered on most of the beaches in Herakleion, while there is also a water park, windsurfing and water-skiing schools, as well as a yachting club. Traditional local festivities are noted for their warm and welcoming atmosphere and the liveliness and hospitality of the locals. Local cuisine is an experience on its own, while some of the most celebrated local products are olive oil, wine, "tsikoudia" ?or ?raki?- (a very strong local drink), olives, grapes, cheese, pickled sausages, kaltsounia (a kind of sweet), snails, and knives, textiles, crockery, and accessories of traditional origin. Nothing will be missed in Heracleion, but enough time to enjoy even a portion of what is offered.  Do not forget to visit the Aquarium of Herakleion, the largest in whole Mediterranean.

Access

All year round, flights are carried out from Athens, Thessaloniki, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. International flights also arrive frequently, with great density in the summer. Ferries sail from the port of Piraeus and Thessaloniki throughout the year. There is also a bus service from Thessaloniki to the port of Piraeus, from where ferries depart.

Connections

There is a flight connection with the airports of Athens, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese and Thessaloniki, as well as some abroad. Buses link Herakleion, Aghios Nikolaos, Sitia, Ierapetra, Rethymnon and Chania. There is also a ferry connection with Athens, Thessaloniki, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, the Eastern Aegean Sea islands and the Sporades.

Museums

The Archaeological Museum of Heracleion is one of the most important in the world, housing spectacular findings from the centers of the Minoan civilization, including the famous disc of Phaistos, whose secrets ?written in a form of writing that cannot be deciphered- have yet to be revealed. Heracleion also hosts a Historical-Ethnographic Museum, an Ecclesiastical Museum, and a Museum of the History of Physics, as well as the private collection of Kastroianni, Kafatos and Metaxas. In ancient Gortyna, there is another important Archaeological Museum. In Knossos-Limenas, there is the museum of Folk Art, which is called "Lychnostatis".

Alternative Tourism

Archaeology, ecotourism, cultural, congressional, historical, educational, sporting (water sports, sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving, canoe, trekking, mountain climbing, mountain bike).

Useful Telephone Numbers:

HERAKLIO AREA CODE:  2810-

POLICE STATION: 2810-282243, 284589, 721210, 245585

TOURIST POLICE: 2810-283190

TRAFFIC POLICE: 2810-247780-4, 282031

PORT POLICE: 2810-244956, 244912

BUS STATION: 2810-245020, 245019, 221765

AIRPORT: 2810-397800, 228402

MUNICIPALITY: 2810-399399, 399106

POST OFFICE: 2810-234468

HOSPITAL: 2810-368000-29, 392111, 222222