Crete
is the cradle of the Greek culture. It is on this island, largest of
Greece, which was born one
from most important civilization, Minoan civilization (2800-1150 av.
JC). It is as in Crete as to be born God from the Gods, Zeus. Between
1700 and 1450 av JC the refinement will be with its roof with the construction
of many palates such as Phaestos, Malia, Zakros and obviously
Knossos. The art of painting and the pottery reached the perfection.
But in 1450 it is the explosion of the volcano of Santorin which puts
makes with this extraordinary blooming. Then in 69 arrives the Roman
occupation which will settle until 330 and in 828
Arabic settles in the Iraklio capital. In 1211 the
Venetian ones take in their turn the island but it will be then about
a peaceful cohabitation and thus arts and the letters will reach their
apogee and the cities become rich will be embellished giving rise to
XIVe century with the Rebirth cretan. It is with a new invasion coming
from Turkey that this century of gold will die out. To the XVIIe century,
the island is attached to the Ottoman Empire and this until the XIXe
century when after many fights Crete will become autonomous, it will
be then attached to Greece in 1913. Thus all these civilizations which
crossed and installed on this island, left so much traces, which Crete
is a place which offers thousand faces, its capital is an good example
besides.
We
advise you to begin
your visit with Knossos, since it is in this place that, as we said,
was born one from greatest civilizations of humanity. Then it will be
necessary to supplement this visit by the archaeological museum of Heraklion,
the second most important museum of Greece and which contains
to it quasi totality of the lucky finds made in Crete. Thus you will
be
able then to rove in the streets of the capital, to leave in your turn
to its conquest and to discover the multiple facets of this city, left
by an at the same time animated and extraordinary past.
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While
leaving the archaeological museum, see
a text and the pictures (in French) you direct towards
the street Dedale and go until the center of the city. To begin your
visit starting from the Liontaria place, in the center of the city,
you will see there the very pretty Morosini fountain
of Venetian time, built in 1628. Just opposite you will be able to admire
the beautiful Loggia
of the same period, today building of the town hall. You will also notice
the church St Marc that the Venetian ones dedicated obviously to their
patron saint, who was a long time a church of large a richness, decorated
splendid frescos. Turkish transformed it into mosque and it is not that
in 1915 qu ' it will be restored. It accommodates from now on exposures.
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Behind
the town hall you will find the church of St Titus, disciple of St Paul,
first bishop of Crete
and owner of the island. The first church dedicated to this saint was
in Gortyna, but it was destroyed by Arabic into 824. It is only at the
end of Xe century that this very beautiful church was going to be built
in Heraklion and the relics of St Titus transferred. From there, continue
the avenue of August 25th on which you are, and direct you towards the
Venetian
port. Built in the middle of XIIIe century ,
it was destroyed in 1303. What one can see today date of 1523. Reconsider
then somewhat your steps to the Theotokopoulou park, which one knows
more under the name of El Greco, from there take the street Minotavrou
which will lead you to the museum of history and cretan folklore. This
museum elected going residence in a beautiful residence neo-classic
and present of the collections of Byzantine art until the second world
war. You will be
able to also see icons there, but if you have a taste for icons ,
it will then be necessary to return to you to the church St Catherine,
built in XVe century, she belonged a long time to the Monastery of the
Sinai Mount. She presents six work completed by the most famous iconographe
of XVIe century, Michael Damaskinos. You will find this church on the
place Ag. Ekaterinis. It is as on this place as you will be able to
visit the church St Minas, seat of the diocese
of Crete. It was contruite at the end of the XIXe century and could
accommodate, says one, to 8000 people. top
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After
that why
not sit you with the terrace of a coffee, history to rest a little.
You do not tighten far from the street 1866 and you will be able easily
find taverns, you will be able even to refresh you Kornarou place, with
the Bembo fountain going back to 1588, in which it was inserted a statue
without head coming from the site of Ierapetra. Stop then your visit
by what remains the most impressive monument of Heraklion, its Venetian
wall. You walk around or directly on the wall and admire gigantic work.
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Heraklion
is not a big city, its visit is easily and if you are not tired too
much, you will be able to always make shopping, the shops do not miss…We
thank Mrs Ionna Stratidakis, for information which it had the kindness
to provide us
and which has to us allowed to
discover this charming capital.
TO KNOW
You need more informations about the city of Heraklion, contact: info@itinerairesbis.com
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Useful phone numbers in Heraklion
Police: 100
Tourist Police: +30 2810
283190
Heraklion airport: +30 2810
228402
Heraklion hospital: +30 28310
237502-7
Olympic Airways: +30 22810 57701
ANEK Lines (Piraeus) +30
210 4197438
Minoan Lines (Héraklion)
+30 28310 22941
Return
choice Crète
www.itinerairesbis.com,
thank's for your visit
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