Heraklion sightseeing tour - physical reduced mobility
Contents
- 1 Natural History Museum
- 2 Cathedral of Saint Minas
- 3 Temple of Saint Titus
- 4 Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- 5 Kornarou Square or "Fulton Mosqu"
- 6 Accessibility
- 7 Daedalus Street
- 8 Church of Saint Mark (Municipal Gallery)
- 9 Avenue of Justice & 1866 Street
- 10 Eleftherios Venizelos Statue
- 11 Venetian harbor
- 12 Morosini Fountain
- 13 25th August Avenue
- 14 Loggia
- 15 St. Catherine of Sinai
- 16 Eleftheria’s Square
Natural History Museum
Address
Sofokli Venizelou, West Port
71202 Heraklion Crete
Description
The Natural History Museum is located in Sophocles Venizelos Avenue (Gulf Dermata) and operated by the University of Crete. The establishment of the museum was a part of the Faculty of Sciences of University of Crete in 1980. The resources of the museum are found through the investments of the University of Crete, from the proceeds of the reports and activities conducted under the auspices of it, from studies and research programs and of course donations. The existence of the museum has great importance not only for the city of Heraklion but also for the international scientific community since it has participated in 86 European programs and in many more research programs. The responsible staff of the museum organize environmental events with the cooperation and support of various local groups and participate in excavations with the most important excavation being that on giant Gigantean Deinotherium in Sitia. The museum holds a prominent role in Greece, as it is the only research institution that has organized 9 multimember scientific missions abroad, particularly in the regions of North African and the Middle East, while their colleagues of the Museum have been published over 200 articles on Greek and international scientific journals.The museum exhibition visitors can admire the Megadioramata, ie the environmental characteristics of Crete and Greece in general. Another important exhibition space is the room of "Enceladus". This is a specially shaped classroom that an artificial earthquake is taking place. Thus, visitors come into direct contact with the prevailing situation in the earthquake, and also are provided with information for understanding this phenomenon and the ways to face such unpleasant situations. Also, for the younger guests there is the "Discovery Centre - Stavros Niarchos" in which children hold the role of Researchers and come in direct contact with various environmental conditions. Furthermore, the Natural History Museum operates a live report with animals, where visitors can observe up close the various animal species such as turtles, mice and snakes. Finally, one of the exhibits worth seeing is the "Deinothirio", the largest mammal that ever lived on Crete, the existence of which is placed 8.5 million years ago.
Accessibility
Ramp: YES
Parking Space: YES
Cathedral of Saint Minas
Address
Square of Saint Minas
71202,Heraklion Crete
Description
Saint Minas is today the patron saint of Heraklion and the citizens of Heraklion commemorate him on 11th November. The church's construction began in 1862 and ended in 1895. The position in which this modern church was built it is said that it has been indicated by a monk to whom St Minas appeared in a vision. Many people had helped in the construction of the church, or by giving money or by offering voluntary work. It said that the construction expense amounted to 30 000 pounds. In front of the church of Saint Minas is a large paved square, while the left is the old church of Saint Mina, the "small Saint Minas" as the locals call it today. According to folklorist Helen Betinaki, the feast of St. Minas is connected with the etymology of the name of St. from the verb mino. According to popular tradition, saint Minas is considered the messenger of every injustice and the person who shows lost or stolen things. People symbolize him riding his horse because he chases the evil. According to Ms. Betinaki, the message of St. Minas for farmers is even more serious. The festival warns of possible cold and the snow that is coming. They say that in that day the shepherds if it is still up in the mountains feel fear of the appearance of the wolf and the Saint alerts them of the appearrance of the wolf as close to their flock. For the day of celebration ,women do not open scissors-like mouth of the wolf, nor men penknife, not for the wolf open his mouth. For the relationship of Heraklion to the patron saint wrote the internationally renowned writer Nikos Kazantzakis, hailing from Heraklion: "... All the state was a fortress, every soul was and is a fortress eternally beleaguered captain and had a saint, Saint Minas, the protector of the Great Castle. A Saint who lived not only in the imaging, descended every night, came patrol. He locks doors, as many had forgotten Christians open, whistled at men in the night to return to their homes anymore, stand scrape the doors and feel pleased when he heard singing ...
Accessibility
Ramp: YES
Parking Space: YES
Temple of Saint Titus
Address
Square of S. Titos
71202, Heraklion Crete
Description
Saint Titus was the first Bishop of Crete, a student of the Apostle Paul and the man who spread Christianity in Crete. The first temple built in honor of Saint Titus was in the ancient city of Gortys, which was the first religious city of the island. After recovery of Crete from the Arabs, Nikiforos Fokas transferred the seat of the Diocese of Gortyna in Candia, where he built a new church of St. Titus at 25 August Street. During its history, the church was damaged and desecrated several times, but always the respective rulers rebuilt it. Inaugurated by Fantino Dandolo on January 3, 1446, while during the Ottoman Empire converted into a mosque, called "Vezir Mosque." In 1856 the church of St. Titus destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt from scratch by architect Athanasios Moussis, and in 1925 after the exchange of populations lose it again in possession of the Church of Crete.
Accessibility
Ramp: YES
Parking Space: YES
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Address
Xanthoudidou 2
71202 Heraklion Crete
Description
The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is located in the city center, next to the central square. The building which houses the museum was built between 1937 and 1940, and the architect was Patroclus Karantinos. During the Venetian rule, the place of the current museum occupied the Catholic monastery of St. Francis which was destroyed by the earthquake of 1856.The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is considered eminently museum of Minoan civilization and for this reason is one of the most important museums in Europe. The exhibits cover 5,500 years of history, from the Neolithic period to the Roman times, and more specifically from the Neolithic and Prepalatial season, the Old Palace period, the New Palace period, the Subminoan and early Geometric period, and the Orientalizing period. Visitors to the Museum have the chance to admire the Minoan sarcophagi Minoan frescoes and Greek and Roman antiquities. Some of the major exhibits of this museum are the Phaistos Disc, gold jewelry of Bee, the Linear B tablets from Knossos, the Snake Goddesses, the murals of bull-leaping and the Prince of Lilies.
Accessibility
Ramp: YES
Parking Space: YES
Kornarou Square or "Fulton Mosqu"
Address
Lions Square
71202, Heraklion Crete
Description
The square was named after the famous Cretan poet Vincenzo Cornaro. The Cornaro was born on March 26, 1553 in the Trapezonta of Sitia, lived and died in Candia in 1613 or 1614 and was buried in the monastery of St. Francis (where today is the Archaeological Museum). He is one of the main representatives of the Cretan Renaissance and author of the famous masterpiece "Erotokritos". This unique kind of verse novel consists of 10,012 rhymed verses in iambic fifteen, becoming an exquisite sample of narrative poetry written in the Cretan dialect from the 17th century. Erotokritos is one of the most important - if not the most important - task of Cretan Literature. He set to music by Christodoulos Halaris and pieces have interpreted many great artists in Crete, including Nikos Xilouris and Psarantonis. In Crete there are even grandparents who remember the whole Erotokritos from breast, verse by verse, and even sing today at meetings, celebrations and gatherings, while there is no Cretan who does not know even a few of his verses "from out". The plot revolves around values of life such as price, family, friendship, bravery and courage, but the dominant theme of this significant project is the love between two young people from different social classes, of Erotokritos and Aretousa . So Kornarou Square adorns a modern bronze sculpture of John Parmakelis, depicting Erotokritos on the horse saying goodbye to his beloved Aretousa.
Accessibility
Ramp: YES
Parking Space: YES
Daedalus Street
Address
Street Daidalou
71202 Heraklion Crete
Description
The Daedalus Street is well known to residents of Heraklion and today is one of the most commercial pedestrian streets and is intertwined with the history of the city. Its name comes from the Minoan Mythology. Daedalus was, according to legend, one of the best craftsmen, architects and inventors. Because of the famous name, he had studied with him many famous painters and sculptors and one of them was Talos. Talos was so talented that he had surpassed his teacher in the invention. For this reason Daedalus began to envy him. One day, Daedalus led his disciple to the roof of the temple of Athena on the Acropolis supposedly to show him the view. And they have been looking the view and then Daedalus pushed Talos down the cliff and killed him. Daedalus then descended to the foot of the mountain to collect the corpse, which he put into a bag and took it with him. On the way to the burial of the corpse Daedalus passed through the city and people looked the content of the bag. The bag had blood stains and they asked Daedalus what was inside the bag. Daedalus answered them that in the bag there is a big fish that he found dead and he had to bury as the sacred law commands. But the lie was learned immediately and the Supreme Court sentenced him for murder and exiled him from the city. So, Daedalus fled to Crete, where King Minos welcomed him with honors and commissioned to build the palace of Knossos.
Accessibility
Ramp: YES
Parking Space: NO
Church of Saint Mark (Municipal Gallery)
Address
Taxiarxou Marcopoulou 42
71202 Heraklion Crete
Description
The Basilica of San Marco is housing now the Municipal Art Gallery of Heraklion. Since 1956 - when a contract was signed between the Company Cretan Historical Studies and the Municipality of Heraklion and began the restoration - this church is a real jewel for the city of Heraklion as a historical monument, but also an art space where citizens, visitors and tourists can come in contact with the various artistic events and reports from time to time take place there. The Basilica of St. Mark's Square is located in the Lions square. At the time of Venetian rule, this church officially undertook their duties lords and site officials, and the people took refuge there to seek help from the Saint. During the siege of the city of Heraklion by the Turks, the bells of the Basilica meant the alarm that meant bombing, so the Turks often tried to demolish the bell tower of the church with their firearms. The church began to be built in 1239 and during the course of time has undergone many architectural changes due to environmental conditions and historical changes. During the Ottoman Empire was functioned as a mosque, as had been granted to Defterdar Sultan Ahmet Pasha. After the population exchange and the departure of Muslims from Crete, the church was abandoned, and later worked again as a cinema with the name "Minoa" and then as a warehouse.
Accessibility
Ramp: NO
Parking Space: YES
Avenue of Justice & 1866 Street
Address
Street Dikaiosinis and 1866 Street
71202 Heraklion Crete
Description
These are the two most shopping streets in the city of Heraklion. Avenue Justice joins the Meidani Square with Lion Sqaure and with the Freedom Square. It took its name from the courthouse which is located approximately in the middle of the avenue and now along the street , it houses many commercials shops. The 1866 route also starts from the Meidani, but extends to Kornarou Square. This traditional alley which locals call "Market" hosted during previous years the central market of Heraklion, and was a daily meeting point of locals. Today this paved road - always teeming with passers-by, always busy and so charming "old-fashioned" in relation to the adjacent shopping streets - hosts small, traditional shops crammed next to each other, souvenirs, cheap clothes and shoes, fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices, cheese, Cretan local produce, butcher shops, as well as small cafes and restaurants. Visitors can distinguish remnants of the old Candia between in or on the shops , like a Venetian arch in coffee Koudoumas or an old 16th century church that is surrounded by buildings and the only connection to the one seen today through the oven of Toulon. If you go across the street from the coffee Koudoumas and look back, you will see from afar the dome of the church of St. Onoufriou. Where the market ends, opposite Kornarou Square, they are also two of the most important monuments of Heraklion: Turkish sebil or "Fountain of Haci Ibrahim Aga" and the Venetian "Bembo". Street 1866 was named by the Cretan Revolution, which lasted from 1866 until 1869. It was one of the most important revolutions against Turkish rule in favor of union with Greece. Feature fact of this revolution is the famous "Blowing up of Arkadi Monastery", on which the lost lives of about 1000 people. Although the revolution of 1866 was not specific result, it opened new avenues for the management of the Cretan Question. Much of the Cretans wanted their freedom and the union of Crete with Greece, which eventually happened in 1913.
Accessibility
Ramp: YES
Parking Space: YES
Eleftherios Venizelos Statue
Address
Street Demokratias
71202, Heraklion Crete
Description
Eleftherios Venizelos was born in Mournies in Chania on August 23, 1864 and died in Paris on March 18, 1936. He was one of the most important political figures in Greece from 1910 until his death and he was a lawyer by profession, made his first appearance as Greeks politician on September 5, 1910 and was prime minister of Greece a total of 7 times. He said that his godfather gave him Eleftherios name with faith and hope that he will save the Cretans from the Turkish yoke. Venizelos was the natural leader of a reform and the people's democratic currents and creator of state and social institutions which have a maturity even nowadays. He was the key person in the union of Crete with Greece, and organized the revolution in the village Theriso in Chania on March 10, 1905, played a key role in resolving the Cretan Question. The revolution quickly spread throughout the island, and eight years later was declared the union of Crete with Greece and the Greek flag was raised on the island.
Accessibility
Ramp: YES
Parking Space: YES
Venetian harbor
Address
Port
Heraklion Crete
Description
The small port of Candia played a special role in the life of the city of Heraklion and the whole island of Crete. Already since the Arabs were in Crete, the port played an important role in the conduct of trade. During the Venetian rule the "Candia" (another name of Heraklion) was another 'Venice of the East ", rich developing export trade. The port was dockyard martial Venetian ships and commercial port at a time when the Venetians were masters traders in the Mediterranean, as their ships served Egypt, Syria, Cyprus, Armenia, Rhodes and Chios. At the entrance of the Venetian port still dominates the imposing sea fortress "Rocca a mare", or "Castello del Molo" or "Su Kulesi", the later called by the Turks "Fortress Koules", which is part of the fortification complex of the city. Heraklion at the time was essentially a large fortress, thanks to its fortifications and ancillary facilities could withstand for 22 years the Turkish siege. During the 16th and 17th century Venetian harbor reached permanently. Koules was then a majestic fortress with 26 apartments that served as houses of captains, as pantries, munitions and water but also as a prison where imprisoned and tortured the Cretan rebels by the Venetians and later by the Turks. In the top of the fortress is carved winged lion of St. Mark, which is the emblem of the Venetian. There had been built and the lighthouse of the port, while the south and east side of the harbor built the shipyards. The shipyards consisted of large elongated spaces that could accommodate galleons to be repaired or even constructed from the beginning. Each of the arches shipyards destined for a galley, and there the ships were repaired. Nowadays, only some parts of them are preserved. Still, it is worth noting that the Ottomans built a small Koules opposite Koules Venetian to enhance the security of the port, and thought that was not sufficient. The little Koules demolished in 1936 in order to create the space that quay for loading and unloading goods. The east of the Venetian harbor was built later in the modern port, in which apart from commercial ships and passenger serving.
Accessibility
Ramp: YES
Parking Space: YES
Morosini Fountain
Address
Square of Eleftherios
71202 Heraklion Crete
Description
Another grandiose Venetian monument in the city of Heraklion is the Morosini Fountain, located in the administrative center of Venice opposite the Basilica San Marco. The "Lions" - as the locals usually call it , and by extension the whole square where it is located - is the most common meeting point, one of the most famous sights and trademark of the city of Heraklion. The official name comes from the man who designed and built in 1628, Francesco Morosini and "quenched the thirst’’of Heraklion. He solved the problem of water shortage in the city and then as inadequate water supply from wells and cisterns. Morosini has created essentially a water supply system with the construction of an aqueduct 15 kilometers long, carrying water from various sources of the northern slopes of the mountain "Youchtas" (where today there is the village of Archanes) in the city of Heraklion. The channeling of spring water fountain ended at once passed by a three-arched bridge, the "Three Arches". The project lasted only 14 months and inaugurated on the day of the feast of St. Mark, the then patron saint of the city of Candia (as they were called during the Venetian rule, the city of Heraklion) on April 25, 1628. The fountain bears marvelous reliefs from the marine realm (dolphins, tritons, mythological monsters, sea demons) and coats of arms. Water flowed from the mouths of four lions, which were based on a pedestal in the center of the fountain and supported a marble basin. Indeed these four lions comes the more popular name "Lions" that we use today. At the top of the fountain stood the statue of Neptune, but which collapsed during an earthquake. The fountain had a functional value, because supplying water to other Venetian fountains, public buildings and housing, and simultaneously symbolizes the cultural bridge between Crete and Venice.
Accessibility
Ramp: YES
Parking Space: YES
25th August Avenue
Address
St. 25th August Avenue
71202,Heraklion Crete
Description
This historic road linking the dockyards and the Venetian port with the Meidani Square and Lion (Morosini) Square has now paved, and hosts along the most beautiful neoclassical buildings of Heraklion. The modern image of the tourism and bustling shopping pedestrian does not resemble anything in the path of the great martyrdom and merciless slaughter committed there on August 25, 1898, the day from which the street is named. On August 25, 1898, the Turkish mob proceeded to vandalism and looting. The Turks massacred a large number of civilians, among them the vice-consul of England was at Heraklion, Lysimachus Kalokairinos and 17 more British royal. This senseless act of Turks provoked international outrage and contributed significantly to the climate shift in Europe that turned the Great Powers to consent to the union of Crete with Greece in 1913. The August 25, 1898, then, was the "beginning of the end "the Ottoman rule in Crete.
Accessibility
Ramp: YES
Parking Space: YES
Loggia
Address
St 25TH August
71202 Heraklion Crete
Description
The current structure of the Loggia is the fourth in order of Venetian Loggia erected by the Venetians in the city of Heraklion, and it was destined to long life (as opposed to the previous three buildings that no longer exist). Today Loggia was built around 1628 by Francesco Morosini, and at the beginning of the road August 25, around the block from the Lions. It is a two storey building that combines the Doric and Ionic rate, while including features Venetian architecture and decoration as the skirt embossed in the partition of the ground floor from the first floor, with its many lions of St. Mark. The architectural project that is a real masterpiece, as it is considered the most beautiful Venetian architecture in Crete and in 1987 was awarded the first prize Europa Nostra, as the best restored European Monument Year. According to the study of Nikos Zervonikolaki, Loggia formed during the Venetian period the center of decisions on commercial and economic life of the city, while it was a place of leisure - a club - for noblemen, where it took place and even gambling . From the balconies of the building were various announcements to citizens and by themselves balconies watching the Duke parades and processions. During the Ottoman empire, Loggia stopped working as a talking shop and housed the superior Revenue Service of Crete Defterdar. The ground floor of the Loggia was and remains an open gallery, while upstairs now it houses the Town Hall of Heraklion.
Accessibility
Ramp: YES
Parking Space: YES
St. Catherine of Sinai
Address
Small Square of S.Minas
71202 Heraklion, Crete
Description
St. Catherine of Sinai, located next to the Cathedral of Saint Minas in the commercial center of Heraklion is one of the best preserved examples of Venetian urban temples. St. Catherine, the "Lady of Candia" has more than seven centuries of life, as the probable construction of the 13th century AD .. It was created as a monastery of Sinai and became religious and spiritual center of Venetian Crete until the occupation of Candia by the Ottomans in 1669. Then worked as a mosque until the liberation of Crete.After 1922 he came under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Church of Saint Minas, in the ownership of which remains today. In 1968 it was decided to convert the church into a museum. Rare relics from monasteries and parishes of Crete gathered and created the "Report Sacred Images and Relics".In 2007, restoration work began on the temple that lasted until the end of 2014. The museum was inaugurated in June 2015, and today the "Saint Catherine of Sinai" is open to visitors and serves as the Christian Art Museum, housing a collection of pictures Heirlooms and the Archdiocese of Crete.
Accessibility
Ramp: YES
Parking Space: NO
Eleftheria’s Square
Address
Square Eleftheria
71202 Heraklion Crete
Description
This is the central square of Heraklion. During the Venetian rule, the free space in which today is the Liberty Square shaped served to pursue the mercenary army of Venetians. Later when it was built the impressive gate of St. George in the 16th century AD (Which unfortunately still not exist), the square was renamed Square St. George and had a strong medieval color. For several years, the square was part of the Venetian aqueduct. Specifically, in 1628 when the water supply was designed Heraklion become the grandiose Morosini Fountain (Lion's Fountain today) was built in this area one aqueduct based on three arches, above which water passing conduit for the fountain. These were the "Three Arches", which were demolished by the Turks in the 19th century AD. A copy of the three arcs can distinguish today was in the center of the square, in commemoration of the original monument. During the difficult years of Turkish rule the space of the square remained naked and unused, while the early 20th century found the square as a primary place of recreation locals. It was the favorite part to walk Sunday, which is also customary to date. Today Liberty Square is the heart of the city. It is crowded and busy, is a reference point for locals, as framed by public services, hotels and cafes bustling around the clock. There is the Prefecture, the Archeological Museum, the statue of Venizelos and the statue of the Unknown Soldier.
Accessibility
Ramp: YES
Parking Space: YES
