Walking Heraklion (also Irakleio), you’ll discover a pleasant old town with plenty of history mixed with gelato shops and fountains. The old town proper, delineated from the newer parts of the city by the old Venetian Walls, is very walkable with many streets having been pedestrianised and cars limited within the old town walls.
Starting out from a trip to the Heraklion Archeological Museum, make your way along Dedalou or Dikeosinis for a block or two and then take a right turn, plunging yourself into the old town proper.
Morozini Fountain & Lion’s Square
Try to get a little lost in the narrow streets before navigating your way to the Central Market for coffee and souvenir shopping and then onto nearby Morozini Fountain. This fountain is 17th century Venetian and boasts four lions spewing water from their mouths. Grab a gelato and rest in the shade for a moment, listening to the bubbling water and watching the pigeons.
The Basilica San Marco is also located on Lion’s Square. Venture into this 13th century Venetian church that was later converted to a mosque and now houses the city’s Municipal Art Gallery.
Venetian Loggia
Not far from here, along 25th Avgoustou towards the harbor, is the Venetian Loggia. This City Hall is, as the name suggests, also Venetian era. It’s a lavish structure with an elegant atrium and the hall hosts various city events. Out the back of the Loggia is the Church of Agios Titos. Previously a 19th century mosque, the church is now Greek Orthodox, dedicated to St. Titus.
Museum of Ancient Greek Technology
A little further along 25th Avgoustou, take a right onto Epimenidou and about 100m along you’ll find the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology. This museum features exhibits of ancient robotics and machinery and displays some of the earliest known forms of scientific engineering.
Just across the road and along a little further, look for the Man With the Daisy Flower (street art) and then take a left turn, towards the harbour. Take another left at the water and walk past the Neoria Vechi and then out along the port to the Rocca a Mare Fortress.
Rocca a Mare Fortress
The Rocca a Mare (Sea Rock) or Castello a Mare (Sea Fortress) is another Venetian era structure although it is believed that Heraklion was already in use as a fortified harbor during the Hellenistic period.
The fortress was used primarily for storage and military purposes. It has been restored and now houses a historical exhibit as well as hosting art exhibitions and cultural activities.
The Venetian Walls
From the fortress either meander back through the old town to the southern end where you’ll find one or more of the Venetian Portals (gates – Pantokrator or Kenouryia) and wander along the walls for a bit. Or, head west from the fortress along the waterfront, past the Natural History Museum of Crete until reaching the Bastion of St. Andrew and then follow the walls south past the Pantokrator Bastion to the gate of the same name. The walls are no longer in great shape but there are some nice views.
Good To Know
There is plenty of historic things to see in Heraklion’s old town. The museums are smaller and more ‘do-able’ than some of the larger museums in Athens and you should still have time to enjoy the atmosphere of the old town and perhaps another gelato!
Would I Return?
Yes.
