| -Travel Greece Guide- Crete simply has it all! (Part 2)- | by VisitGreece.gr |
Let's continue our trip to Crete, the largest Greek island. In Part one of our journey to Crete we were traveling in the region of Chania (Haniá), on the western side of the island with its impressive White Mountains (in Greek: Lefká Óri) and its famous National Park. Also we discovered the region of Rethymno, Crete's smallest prefecture located between White Mountains and Mt Psilorítis, which is synonymous with gorgeous mountainscapes, marvellous beaches and Cretan lyre melodies. Today is a time to visit the region of Heraklion, famous because of the archaeological site of Knossos and the capital of Crete.
| Lion at the Morosini Fountain in Heraklion, Crete | photo by © wiki |
Heraklion
The largest and most densely populated region on the island of Crete is Heraklion (Iráklion). Nestling picturesquely among two imposing mountain ranges – Ídi (Mt Psiloritis) to the west and Dikti (Lasithiótika mountains) to the east– Iráklion boasts exceptional archaeological treasures, significant coastal settlements, a series of picturesque villages, vast valleys with olive groves and vineyards as well as the best organised tourist infrastructure in Crete. A unique combination of urban scenery and natural wealth makes the region of Iraklion an appealing all-year-round destination.
Crete’s capital, the city of Heraklion presents a unique mixture of civilizations where Byzantine remnants stand side by side with Venetian constructions and Ottoman buildings. The city is also renowned for the medieval fortress of Koules overlooking the Venetian harbour and the Venetian walls that still surround a part of the city. At the southernmost bastion of the fortress, Martinengo Bastion, lies the tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis, the famous Cretan author, whose epitaph reads: “I believe in nothing, I hope for nothing, I am free”.
| Koules (Rocca al Mare), Venetian fortress in Heraklion, Crete | photo by © wiki |