Heraklion is the largest city and capital of Crete, with a population of around 174,000. Its main industries are tourism, agriculture, and trade, and it has a busy airport and port. It is located in a strategic position connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some of Heraklion's most important landmarks include the Koules Fortress, Morosini Fountain, and the archaeological site of Knossos. The city combines both ancient and modern aspects of Cretan culture and history.

1. BY THE STUDENTS OF E’ CLASS OF THE 12 th
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF HERAKLION

2. Heraklion is the capital and largest city of Crete. According to the 2011
census the municipality of Heraklion has a population of 173.993
inhabitants.
The main economic sectors of the city are tourism, agriculture and
trade. Heraklion also has one of the busiest airports (airport "Nikos
Kazantzakis") as well as a port busy with passengers and freight.
It has a strategic geopolitical position in the east basin of the
Mediterranean, connecting three continents and many different
cultures.
It is a dynamic city that unites the past and present.

4. Koules Fortress
Koules Fortress is the marine fort built by the Venetians in Heraklion.
Located at the entrance of the Venetian harbor, it served to protect the port
of Heraklion from invasions and landings of other conquerors.
Today Koules is open to visitors and it is also used for cultural events.

5. THE MOROSINI FOUNTAIN
The Morosini Fountain (Lions) is the most
famous fountain in Iraklion at the Lion
Square in the city center. Today, the
fountain is one of the most beautiful
monuments of the city.
The oktalovi tank is based on a special
platform with three terraces. Above the
tank rise the four lions, from the mouths
of which water used to flow
. The reason for its construction was not
aesthetic, but to supply water in the city of
Heraklion. The water used to come down
from the mountain Giouchtas in Arhanes,
a 15 km aqueduct that reached in
Heraklion.

6. KNOSSOS
Knossos, the most important center of the Minoan
civilization, , is built on the hill of Kefala.It is located 5 km.
south-east of Heraklion and covers an area of about 15 square
miles.
According to tradition, it was the seat of King Minos and the
capital of the state. Knossos was an important city in
antiquity, and it had been continuously inhabited from the
Neolithic up to the 5th AD century and it was there that the
first major Minoan palace in Crete was built. This is the most
important example of the Minoan civilization that reached its
peak from 1700 to 1450 BC
The area of the palace of Knossos is linked to fascinating
myths, such as the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, Daedalus
and Icarus.

7. 25th AUGUST STREET
The August 25 Martyrs’ street connects the city
center to the port. These days it is a pedestrian street
with beautiful neoclassical buildings, currently
housing banks, travel agencies and souvenir shops.
LOGGIA
Loggia is the name of the building that currently
houses the city hall of Heraklion. It is situated on
August 25 street just north of the Lion Square in
the city center of Heraklion . During the Venetian
years it was a gathering place for nobles and
princes who would discuss various aspects of
economy, trade,and politics that concerned the
city.
VIKELAIA
The Vikelaia Municipal Library of Heraklion is a
historic library in Crete. Its main purpose is to provide
significant collections useful for those who seek them
as well as services and sources of information that will
serve their informative needs and promote education
and awareness(www.vikelaia.gr).

8. AGIOS MINAS
Agios Minas is the patron saint) of
Heraklion and his memory is celebrated on
November 11, a holiday in Heraklion. The
imposing church of Agios Minas, one of
the largest in Greece, was founded on 25
March 1862 as a gesture of gratitude for the
protection offered to the city by the saint.
AGIOS TITOS
The church of Agios Titos in Heraklion, is
one of the most important monuments in
the city center, on August 25 street. Around
it lies a beautiful square with a few cafes
and bars, the square of St. Titus.

9. KAZANTZAKIS TOMB
The tomb of the great Cretan writer and philosopher.
Located on the venetian walls, on the highest point of
Heraklion.; The following words are inscribed on his tomb:;
"I hope for nothing; I fear nothing;I’m a free man."
NEORIA (SHIPYARDS)
The Venetian shipyards of Heraklion are situated on
the Venetian harbor.
The docks are roofed oblong spaces for the
construction and repair of ships of the Venetian fleet.
The Venetian fleet used to dominate the
Mediterranean and the Venetians who built them at
each port ensured that their ships, commercial and
military, would always be in good condition and ready
to travel quickly and safely from port to port.

10. THEWALLS
The most important monument of the Venetians
are the new walls. The Heraklion walls enclose
the old city, Candia.
And those who want to see up close the largest
fortification in the Mediterranean, stand with a
map in hand and wonder: where one starts? ...
KORNAROS SWUARE
Kornaros Square is located in the city center and
was named after the great Cretan artist Vincenzos
Cornaros.
Vitsentzos Kornaros is one of the major
representatives of the Cretan Renaissance and his
best known work is "Erotokritos".
Today Kornaros Square is decorated with a
fountain and a sculpture: Erotokritos on
horseback salutes his beloved Aretousa.

11. ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Τηε Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is a museum that presents almost all of the
Minoan civilization. It is one of the largest and most important museums in Greece and
one of the most important in Europe. Its exhibits include representative samples from all
periods of Cretan prehistory and history, covering over 5,500 years from the Neolithic Age
to the Roman period. Prominent place in its collections hold the unique masterpieces of
Minoan art. The collection of Minoan antiquities is the largest in the world and the
museum is considered the pre-eminent museum of Minoan civilization.

12. HISTORICAL MUEUM
The Historical Museum of Crete
was founded in 1953 by the
Society of Cretan Historical
Studies. The museum presents a
comprehensive view of Cretan
history from early Christian
times to the modern era.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
The Natural History Museum of
the University of Crete was
established in 1980.
It includes the following sections:
Zoological
Botanical
Paleontology - Geology
Mineralogical

13. The Cretan diet is a healthy and tasty diet with recipes that reach us from centuries
ago.
The Cretan diet is now recognized by the international scientific community as the
most representative example of the quality of the so-called Mediterranean diet
which, based as it is on vegetables, legumes, fruits and grains in combination with
the use of olive oil, contributes to longevity and welfare.
CRETAN PRODUCTS – CRETAN CUISINE
Olive oil, cheese, honey, herbs and many other products of the Cretan mountains form the
basis for the miracle of the Cretan cuisine.

14. The Cretan costume is one of the most important elements of the folklore
of Crete.

15. CRETAN LYRE
The Cretan lyre is a stringed,
musical instrument, which is
at the heart of the traditional
music of Crete.
TRADITIONAL DANCES
The lively dance heritage of Crete includes
approximately twenty-five dances.
The best known throughout the island are:
stud, siganos, malevizotis, chaniotikos
(syrtos) and pentozali.

16. The Cretans are famous for their hospitality, which they offer with utter selflessness
and solely motivated by respect for their fellow man.
Indeed, many believe that this is related to the Cretan descent of Xenios Zeus, the god
of gods, humans and hospitality.

18. http://el.wikipedia.org/
http://www.heraklion.gr/
http://olympia.gr/
www.explorecrete.com
http://cretazine.com/heraklion
http://www.incrediblecrete.gr/
http://cretancostume.blogspot.gr/
forum.kithara.gr
www.agonaskritis.gr
http://www.tsouchlarakis.com/