The Dermata Gate in Heraklion's Venetian walls, a historic passageway built between 1590 and 1595. It served as a secondary access point to the city from the sea.
The Palace of Knossos, located on the Kephala hill south of Heraklion, Crete, is an important site of the ancient Minoan civilization. Occupied since around 7000 BCE during the Aceramic Neolithic period. The First Palace, built during the Middle Minoan IB-IIA period, represents a significant shift in Minoan society from a clan-based structure to a hierarchical one. This monumental building, covering nearly 10,000 square meters on the ground floor alone, served as a hub for administrative, storage, and cult activities. The First Palace also introduced innovative features like storage magazines, showcasing the society's wealth and resources. The New Palace emerged after a massive earthquake that occurred at the end of the Middle Minoan IIIA period, the palace underwent major reconstruction in the Middle Minoan IIIB period. Around 1450 BCE, widespread destruction occurred across Crete, affecting palaces and settlements. While Knossos suffered damage, it wasn't destroyed like other palaces. This period saw the introduction of Linear B, an early form of Greek script used by the Mycenaeans, suggesting their presence at Knossos. The final destruction of the palace, possibly in Late Minoan IIIA2 (1325-1300 BCE), left it deserted, but the town continued to exist. Knossos continued to be inhabited during the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. Two basilicas from the First Byzantine period indicate that the city was still active during this time. Knossos appears to have followed the fate of other urban centers in Crete and declined early.
Pantokrator Bastion and Gate, a prominent feature of the Heraklion Walls. Constructed in the mid-16th century, it played a crucial role in the city's defense.
Profitis Ilias, formerly Kanli Kastelli, is a historic village in Heraklion, Crete, at the foot of Rokka hill. Ancient Lykastos' acropolis stood here. The Byzantines built Temenos fortress, later fortified by Venetians (Castello Temene). Ottomans renamed it Kanli Kastelli ("Bloody Fortress"). Known for agricultural production, particularly grapes, raisins, olive oil, and wine, the village has a population of 1,320. It features a Citizens' Service Centre, police station, schools, a medical clinic, and several churches.
Roukani is a settlement located in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Heraklion and is 12.4 kilometers away from the town Krousonas and 4.4 kilometers away from Profitis Ilias
Agios Andreas Bastion, a crucial defensive point in the Venetian walls of Heraklion, witnessed the fall of Candia to the Ottomans. It's open to the public.
Venerato, a village in Crete's Heraklion region, 19.8 km from Heraklion city, bears Venetian origins, likely a noble retreat. Historical records from 1583 note its size. It is a thriving agricultural community with modern amenities like schools and a medical center. Notable figures, including Patriarch Nectarios of Jerusalem, were born here. Once a larger settlement, its population was 593 in 1583 and 836 in 2011. The village's name derives from the Italian "venerato," meaning "respected."