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The city of Iraklio is a bustling modern city with a lively city centre, hotels, restaurants and buzzing cafés. Irakleio lacks the medieval architecture of Rethymno or Chania, yet it is the major port in Crete with heavy traffic of passengers and freight and the island’s administrative centre. The massive medieval fortress still guards the harbour, while the old charm of Heraklio is still visible in the remnants scattered in the old centre of the city.
The present city of Heraklion was founded in 824 AD by the Saracens from Andalucia in Southern Spain and had taken over the island from the Byzantine Empire. Then, the city of Irakleio or El Khandak as it was named back then has the reputation of the slave-trade capital of the eastern Mediterranean. The Venetians that came later named the city Candia and ruled the island for more than 400 years. Although Candia’s fortifications withstood a 21-year siege by Ottoman Turks, it surrendered in 1669. From 1898 until 1908, Heraklio is under direct occupation of the Great Powers and part of the British Zone. In 1913 Heraklio joined Greece with the rest of Crete.Heraklio is the largest city and the administrative capital of Crete and the fourth largest city in Greece. Iraklio spans an area of approximately 20 sq. km. with a total population of 173.450 residents. Irakleio is located in the central Crete, on the northern part of the island, facing the Cretan Sea.The Minoan ruins of the palace of Knossos are the major sight, while the thrilling findings of the palace are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum. Among the findings are small statues, tools of everyday life and the vivid and joyous painted ceramics like plates, vases and pots. The Venetian Fortress also known as Koules, dominates the entrance of the harbour and is ideal for walking around in the evening. In the old centre of the city there is the trademark of the medieval era of the city, the Morosini Fountain or Liontaria (meaning lions) as is referred to by the locals.The delicacies of the Cretan cuisine can be found everywhere: raki, dakos, honey, cheese, olives and sausages. In Heraklio you can find also antiques.By air from Athens International Airport or by ferry boats departing from Piraeus Port in Athens.
Police: +30 2810 274010
Tourist Police: +30 2810 274046
Port Authorities of Heraklio: +30 2810 244912
Airport ‘Nikos Kazantzakis’: +30 2810 228402
Local Buses Services Heraklion-Lasithi: +30 2810 245019
Local Buses Services Chania-Rethymno: +30 2810 221765
Regional Academic Hospital (PAGNI): +30 2813 402111
Venizeleio General Hospital: +30 2813 408000From May till October. -
Catalogue of companies for Heraklion City
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Map for Heraklion City
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Relative articles for Heraklion City