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| The prefecture of Heraklio, where over half the population of Crete now live, is located in the centre of the island. It contains some of the most important archaeological sites and well-preserved traditional villages. A place with great contra ...check all travel info about Heraklio prefecture. |
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| Heraklio. The Capital of Crete |
| Photo gallery | | | | | | | Destination Overview |
Heraklio is a modern city, the capital of the prefecture of Iraklio and since 1972 of the whole of Crete.
It is also the commercial, industrial and agricultural centre of eastern Crete and the ecclesiastical
"capital" of the island.
Heraklio was build in 824 A.D. During the Arab occupation great walls were built and the city was named Rampnth el Hantak and later on Handakas. During the Venetian times Heraklio was named Candia and was an important trading and cultural center.
It fell in the hands of Turks in 1669 and only after the city was in a state of siege for 21 years. Since 1913 , when Crete was annexed to the rest of Greece, Heraklio developed once again to become the center for most of the trading and cultural activities of the island.
It has produced important figures in painting and literature such as the famous
D.Theotokopoulos ('El Greco') and the great novelist N.Kazantzakis.
Great interest has its archaeological museum with wonderful collections of antiquities.
| | Accommodation in Heraklio | | | |
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