For the village in Corinthia, see Heraklion, Corinthia.

Morozini Fountain on Venizelou square in Heraclion, Crete, built in 1628

Heraclion (transliterated from the Ancient Greek spelling of the name), sometimes also spelled Heraklion, Heraclio, Heraklio, Iraclion and Iraklio (transliteration of the Modern Greek spelling and pronounciation of the place), and various other similar spellings (in Greek: Ηράκλειο), is the major city and capital of the island of Crete. It is also the capital of Heraclion Prefecture. It has an international airport named after the writer Nikos Kazantzakis. The ruins of Knossos, which were excavated and restored by Arthur Evans, are nearby. map File links The following pages link to this file: Heraklion Categories: GFDL images ... Jump to: navigation, search Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1564x1060, 603 KB) Morozini Fountain on Venizelou square in Heraklion, Crete. ... Jump to: navigation, search Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1564x1060, 603 KB) Morozini Fountain on Venizelou square in Heraklion, Crete. ... Ancient Greek refers to the stage in the history of the Greek language corresponding to Classical Antiquity, which normally applies on two ancient periods of Greek history: Archaic and Classic Greece. ... Modern Greek (Νεοελληνική, lit. ... Jump to: navigation, search Melbourne, Australia by night For alternate meanings see city (disambiguation) A city is an urban area, differentiated from a town, village, or hamlet by size, population density, importance, or legal status. ... In politics a capital (also called capital city or political capital — although the latter phrase has an alternative meaning based on an alternative meaning of capital) is the principal city or town associated with its government. ... Greece and Crete Crete, sometimes spelled Krete (Greek Κρήτη / Kriti; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea. ... Nikos Kazantzakis Nikos Kazantzakis (Greek Νίκος Καζαντζάκης February 18, 1883, Heraklion, Crete - October 26, 1957, Freiburg, Germany) was a Greek novelist, poet, playwriter and thinker. ... Knossos Knossos (35°18′ N 25°10′ E; alternative spellings Knossus, Cnossus, Gnossus, Greek Κνωσσός) is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete, probably the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan culture. ... For Arthur Evans, the recipient of the Victoria Cross, see Arthur Evans (VC) Sir Arthur John Evans (July 8, 1851 – July 11, 1941) was an English archaeologist. ...

History

As mentioned above, Heraclion is close to the ruins of the palace of Knossos, which in Minoan times was the biggest centre of population on Crete. So it is very likely that there was a port here as long ago as 2000 BC. There is however no archaeological evidence for such a port. Other very important Minoan era ruins are found in or around Archanes village (a few km after Knossos), in Anemospilia, Fourni and Vathipetro. Knossos Knossos (35°18′ N 25°10′ E; alternative spellings Knossus, Cnossus, Gnossus, Greek Κνωσσός) is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete, probably the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan culture. ... Map of Minoan Crete The Minoans were a pre-Hellenic Bronze Age civilization in Crete in the Aegean Sea, prior to Helladic or Mycenaean culture (i. ... Greece and Crete Crete, sometimes spelled Krete (Greek Κρήτη / Kriti; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea. ... (Redirected from 2000 BC) (21st century BC - 20th century BC - 19th century BC - other centuries) (3rd millennium BC - 2nd millennium BC - 1st millennium BC) Events 2064 - 1986 BC -- Twin Dynasty wars in Egypt 2000 BC -- Farmers and herders travel south from Ethiopia and settle in Kenya. ... Knossos Knossos (35°18′ N 25°10′ E; alternative spellings Knossus, Cnossus, Gnossus, Greek Κνωσσός) is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete, probably the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan culture. ...

The present city of Heraclion was founded in 824 AD by the Saracens (an Arabic Muslim people). They built a giant ditch around the city for protection. They named the city Khandak, meaning 'moat', after the ditch. The Saracens allowed the port to be used as a safe haven for pirates, much to the annoyance of the nearby Byzantine Empire. Events Iñigo Arista revolts against the Franks and establishes the kingdom of Navarre (approximate date). ... The term Saracen comes from Greek sarakenoi. ... The Arabs (Arabic: عرب Ê»arab) are an originally Arabian ethnicity widespread in the Middle East and North Africa. ... A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم) is an adherent of Islam. ... The Byzantine Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Greek-speaking Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, centred at its capital in Constantinople. ...

In 961, the Byzantines attacked and defeated the city, slaughtered all the Saracens, looted the city and burned it to the ground. They remained in control of the rebuilt Khandak for the next 243 years. Jump to: navigation, search Events Byzantine Empire recaptures Crete from Muslim control Ani made the capital of Armenia by the Bagratid dynasty Haakon_I_of_Norway squashed the rebelling forces of Eric Bloodaxes sons but was killed in the Battle of Fitje. ...

In 1204, the city was bought by the Venetians as part of a complicated political deal which involved among other things, the Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade restoring the deposed Byzantine emperor Isaac II Angelus to his throne. The Venetians improved on the ditch by building enormous fortifications, most of which are still in place, including a giant wall, in places up to 40m thick, with 7 bastions, and a fortress in the harbour. The name Khandak became Candia in Italian. The city retained the name of Candia for centuries, and the whole island of Crete was often called Candia as a result. // Events February - Byzantine emperor Alexius IV is overthrown in a revolution, and Alexius V is proclaimed emperor. ... Venice is known for its waterways and gondolas Gondola. ... This article is about historical Crusades . ... The Fourth Crusade (1202–1204), originally designed to conquer Jerusalem by taking Egypt first, instead, in 1204, sacked and conquered the Orthodox Christian city of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. ... This is a list of Byzantine Emperors. ... Isaac II Angelus (or Isaakios Angelos) (September 1156-1204), was the Byzantine emperor from 1185-1195, and again 1203-1204. ...

After the Venetians came the Turks of the Ottoman Empire. They besieged the city for 22 years in a bloody war in which 30,000 Cretans and 120,000 Turks died. The Venetians eventually handed it over in 1669. The city was renamed during the Turkish occupation to Megalo Kastro (Big Castle). During their occupation, the harbour silted up, so they moved most of their business to Hania in the west of the island. Jump to: navigation, search Imperial motto (Ottoman Turkish) Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (the Eternal State) The Ottoman Empire at the height of its power Official language Ottoman Turkish Capital Bursa (1335 - 1365), Edirne (1365-1453), Ä°stanbul (Constantinople) (1453-1922) Imperial anthem Ottoman imperial anthem Sovereigns Padishah of the Osmanli... For the Boston area punk band see Siege (band). ... The Siege of Candia (Heraklion, Crete) (1648-1669) was possibly the longest siege in history. ... // Events Samuel Pepys stopped writing his diary. ... A harbor (or harbour) or haven is a place where ships may shelter from the weather or are stored. ... Chania (SAMPA [xanja]) (also transliterated as Hania) (Greek Χανιά) is the second city of Crete and the capital of the prefecture of the same name. ...

The city became independent with the withdrawal of the Ottomans in 1898, then part of the 1908 Cretan state, and then it was incorporated into the Kingdom of Greece in 1913. Upon its independence it was renamed to 'Heraclion', meaning City of Heracles (Hercules), after the port of Heracleum which had existed somewhere in the locality in Roman times. 1898 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1908 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Official Tourist Site HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network)/ comprehensive Greek news site Official Greek Statistics Site Ask for Greece/ A volunteer community for Q&As about Greece Greece Museums/ Museum directory of Greece Take a short virtual tour of Athens Take a long virtual tour of Athens Greece Webcam Radio... Jump to: navigation, search 1913 is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Statue of Heracles In Greek mythology, Heracles, or Heraklês (glory of Hera, ηρακλης) was a divine hero, the demigod son of Zeus and Alcmene, and stepson of Amphitryon – Alcmenes rightful husband and grand-son of Perseus. ... Hercules and Cacus, by Baccio Bandinelli, 1525 - 1534. ... Jump to: navigation, search Ancient Rome was a civilization that existed in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East between 753 BC and its downfall in AD 476. ...

The biggest monument of the city is the Venetian medieval fortress Rocca al Mare (also known as Koules) located on the port.

Sporting teams

• O.F.H - top Soccer team in Crete. Plays on the first division.
• Ergotelis - Second best soccer team of Crete. During the period 2004-2005 used to play on the first division but now plays on the second. The team uses the Pancretan Stadium ( Pankritio) which was built for the Athens Summer Olympics 2004 games.
• Atsalenios (P.O.A) - Soccer team of Heraklion which plays on the third division.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has more media related to:

Heraclion

• Heraclion city map and virtual tour An interactive map with streets, sights, travel info and pictures
• Municipality of Heraclion
• Heraklion Information about the city of Heraclion by the Technological Educational Institute of Crete
• One day in Heraclion - guide