The prefecture of Heraklion (Iraklio), second from the right, covers an area of 2,011 sq.km. and lies between the prefectures of Rethymno and Lassithi. It is the most populated prefecture of Crete andits capital, the town of Heraklion, is the capital of the island.
Other developed towns and villages are Agia Pelagia, Malia, Hersonissos, a very well organized summer resort, Epano Arhanes, NeaAlikarnassos, Myres and Agia Varvara.
The climate in the prefecture is very good with sunshine most of the year. There are various mountains with Dikti mountain chain and Kofinas being themost important and also a few valleys.
PLACES OF NATURAL BEAUTY
The prefecture of Heraklion has many breathtaking locations, ideal for nature lovers. Impressive caves such as Kamares inZaros and villages with sandy beaches such as Kali Limenes present glorious images that nature and time have created.
There are also many areas for climbing and hiking and various summer resorts,where you can enjoy the sea, while water skiing or wind surfing. A sense of adventure and a desire for exploration are all you need to discover the beauties of the Heraklionprefecture.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS
The prefecture of Heraklion is well-known for the archaeological sites of Knossos and Phaestos.
The ancient town of Knossos, 5 km fromthe capital, was the center of the Minoan civilization and includes the greatest Minoan palace of the period 2000 - 1400 BC.
The ancient remains cover an area of 20,000 sq.m. and consist of theancient town with the palace, the small palace, the bi-level royal mansion and the royal tomb.
The palace was a huge complex of many chambers and corridors, with complicated design andstructure, which was partially destroyed in 1700, rebuilt and then finally burned down in 1400 BC. The site also includes the «Stromatografiko» Museum (of stratigraphy), exhibiting a collection fromKnossos findings.
In the ancient town of Phaestos, 60 km southwest of Heraklion, there is a similar palace, to the one of Knossos, only less complicated and presenting an easier tour for thevisitor. The complex was built on a steep hill and it spreads at 8,400 sq.m. It was the religious and economic center in the Minoan Years. It includes the Minoan palace, the tomb and 3 km farther, inAgia Triada, the remains of a royal mansion and the Sarcophagus.
The prefecture of Heraklion has many more archaeological sites, remains from the Minoan or post Minoan Periods, such as the ancienttowns of Malia, Gortys and Tylissos.
Other monuments presenting an historic importance are many venetian buildings in the capital, such as the Koules Fortress, Lodgia, the Morosini, Bebo andPriouli Fountains and the venetian walls that surround the town.
You can also visit many monasteries from the Byzantine Years, tokens of a superb architecture: Agios Georgios Gorgolainis inAsites, Kimissis Theotokou Palianis in Venerato, Brontissiou, Kardiotissas and Apanossifis in Agia Varvara.
From the same period there are also many Christian churches, the Byzantine churches ofthe Ten Martyrs and Archangel Michael and the churches of Agia Triada, Agia Paraskevi and Asomatou in Epano Arhanes. If you love painting, don't forget to visit the house where El Greco was born, inFodele.
Finally, the town of Heraklion has many museums including the Archaeological, Historical and Ecclesiastic with various pieces from Cretan tradition and the Minoan remains.
