Heraklion history

The history of Heraklion, named after the mythical hero Heracles, is rooted in deep antiquity and is closely intertwined with the fate of the entire island of Crete. Having witnessed the rise and fall of great civilisations, the city has changed its name and appearance multiple times, preserving a rich cultural heritage from various eras to this day.

Foundation and First Mentions

The first settlements on the site of modern Heraklion emerged during the era of the legendary Minoan civilisation (3rd–2nd millennium BC), when one of the ports of the Palace of Knossos was located here. The ancient Greek geographer Strabo mentioned this place in the 1st century AD as "Heraklion", the seaport of Knossos. However, the actual city on this site was founded significantly later, in 824 AD, by Arab conquerors. They established a fortified fort here and named it "Chandax" (derived from the Arabic Al-Khandaq, meaning "the moat"), which became their main base on Crete for 140 years.

Key Development Factors

The city's development over the centuries was defined by its strategic location and the succession of ruling powers. The following periods played a key role:

• Byzantine Period (from 961): After reclaiming Crete from the Arabs, the Byzantines fortified the city, which became an important trade and military centre.
• Venetian Rule (1204–1669): This period became a "Golden Age" for the city, which the Venetians renamed Candia. Thanks to active maritime trade with the East and Europe, Candia transformed into a thriving metropolis, the capital of the "Kingdom of Candia". The Venetians erected powerful defensive walls and the famous Koules Fortress in the harbour, which define the look of the old town to this day.
• Ottoman Period (1669–1898): After a long and bloody siege, the city came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Economic and cultural development slowed, but the city retained its significance as an administrative centre.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Heraklion has always been a melting pot of cultures. In the Minoan era, its port served as a gateway for trade and cultural exchange. During Venetian rule, Candia became the centre of the so-called "Cretan Renaissance", a period of flourishing art and literature where Byzantine traditions merged with Western European influences. The city was known for its schools of icon painting, and its architecture combined Gothic and Renaissance features. The city's economy was firmly linked to the sea: trade in olive oil, wine, and other goods ensured its prosperity for many centuries.

Key Dates in the History of Heraklion

The history of Heraklion is a kaleidoscope of eras and civilisations that have left their mark on the city's architecture and culture. From a Minoan port to a modern tourism hub, each period brought its own changes to the appearance and destiny of Crete's capital.

• ~2000 BC — A port settlement emerges on the site of the modern city, serving the Palace of Knossos — the centre of the Minoan civilisation.
• 824 — Saracen Arabs found a fortified city-fortress named Rabd al-Khandaq (The Moat), which becomes their main base on Crete.
• 961 — The Byzantine general Nikephoros Phocas retakes the city from the Arabs, returning it to the control of the Byzantine Empire.
• 1204 — Following the Fourth Crusade, Crete is sold to the Venetians, who rename the city Candia and make it the capital of their "Kingdom of Candia".
• 1462 — Construction begins on the massive Venetian walls that surround the old town to this day.
• 1541 — The famous painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos, better known as El Greco, is born in a village near Candia.
• 1648–1669 — The city withstands one of the longest sieges in history but eventually falls under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.
• 1898 — Crete gains autonomy from the Ottoman Empire, and the city officially reclaims its ancient name — Heraklion.
• 1913 — The long-awaited union of Crete with Greece takes place, and Heraklion becomes part of the Greek state.
• 1941 — During World War II, the city suffers serious damage from German bombing during the Battle of Crete.
• 1971 — Heraklion officially becomes the administrative capital of the entire island of Crete.

Legacy of Eras: How History Shaped Modern Heraklion

Modern Heraklion is not just a city, but a living museum where every stone tells a story. Its current appearance and economy are a direct consequence of the succession of great civilisations. Instead of a simple list of dates, let us look at the mark left by key eras on the character of today's Cretan capital.

The Venetian Heritage is the city's calling card. The powerful defensive walls, which today serve as a popular place for walking, and the majestic Koules Fortress in the harbour were built by the Venetians not only for protection but also to demonstrate power. It is these structures that create the unique silhouette of the old town and attract thousands of tourists. The Venetians also turned Heraklion (then Candia) into a major trading hub, laying the foundations for its modern role as Crete's main seaport.

The Ottoman Period added Oriental notes to the architectural ensemble and the city's way of life. Although many structures were altered, the legacy of this era is felt in the atmosphere of the central market, which resembles a lively souq, and in certain fountains and buildings that were integrated into the urban fabric. This layer of history enriched the cultural diversity of Heraklion, which today is one of its attractive features for travellers.

A turning point was the Reunion with Greece and the subsequent transformation of the city into the island's administrative capital in 1971. This cemented its status as the main economic and political centre. However, Heraklion's modern economy was defined by the post-war development of tourism. The city was actively rebuilt after the destruction of World War II and transformed into the main "gateway" to Crete, receiving the bulk of tourist traffic through its international airport and port. It is the tourism industry that drives its development today.

Thus, walking through Heraklion today, you travel through time. You see the might of the Venetian maritime power, sense the echoes of Ottoman influence, and immerse yourself in the dynamic life of a modern Greek city that has skilfully turned its rich historical heritage into the foundation of its prosperity.

The architectural appearance of Heraklion is an impressive narrative of its turbulent history, where different eras have left their mark. Strolling through the city, one can see how Venetian power combines with Ottoman motifs and neoclassical elegance, while modern buildings stand alongside ancient walls.

Venetian Era (13th–17th Centuries): Renaissance and Fortification

This period was defining for the urban layout of Heraklion (then Candia). The Venetians turned the city into an impregnable fortress and a thriving trading port, leaving behind magnificent examples of military and civil architecture.

• Powerful Defensive Walls: Built in the 15th–16th centuries, these massive fortifications with seven bastions surround the Old Town to this day. They are one of the most significant examples of fortification architecture in the Mediterranean.
• Koules Fortress: A sea fort guarding the entrance to the old harbour — the symbol of Heraklion and a prime example of Venetian military engineering.
• Venetian Loggia: An elegant Renaissance-style building where the local nobility gathered. Today, it houses the City Hall.
• Morosini Fountain (Lions Fountain): Located in the city centre, this ornately decorated fountain was not only a decorative element but also an important part of the water supply system created by the Venetians.

Ottoman Period (17th–19th Centuries): Oriental Accents

After the city was conquered by the Turks, the architectural landscape began to change. Many Venetian churches were converted into mosques, to which minarets were added. New types of buildings characteristic of Ottoman culture also appeared.

• Fountains (Sebil): Public fountains in the Ottoman style were built in the city, such as the Bembo Fountain, which was integrated into a Venetian structure, or the Priuli Fountain.
• Market on 1866 Street: Although the modern market has been significantly rebuilt, its atmosphere and layout partly retain the features of a traditional eastern bazaar formed during the Ottoman era.

Neoclassicism and Modernity (19th–21st Centuries)

After the reunification of Crete with Greece in the early 20th century, the neoclassical style spread in Heraklion, as in many other Greek cities. Public buildings, schools, and private mansions were erected with strict lines and antique motifs. After World War II, during which the city suffered greatly, a period of active construction began. Modern Heraklion is a city of contrasts, where restored historical monuments stand alongside concrete apartment blocks from the 1960s–1980s and new hotels, reflecting its role as a dynamically developing administrative and tourist centre.

Notable People of Heraklion

Throughout its rich history, Heraklion has been the birthplace and centre of activity for many prominent figures who have left a significant mark on world culture, science, and history. From great Renaissance artists to modern laureates of prestigious awards, these names are inextricably linked with the capital of Crete.

Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) (1541–1614)

A world-renowned painter, sculptor, and architect, and one of the brightest representatives of the Spanish Renaissance. El Greco was born in the vicinity of Heraklion (then Venetian Candia) and received his first lessons in icon painting here in the traditions of the Cretan School. Although he achieved global fame in Spain, his Cretan roots had a profound influence on the formation of his unique style.

Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957)

One of the most significant Greek writers and philosophers of the 20th century, whose name is now borne by Heraklion International Airport. Born in this city, he brought fame to Greece worldwide with his novels, including "Zorba the Greek" and "The Last Temptation of Christ". His work is deeply imbued with the spirit of freedom and philosophical quests for the meaning of life.

Odysseas Elytis (1911–1996)

An outstanding poet and laureate of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1979. He was born in Heraklion and became one of the main representatives of modernism in Greek poetry. In his work, Elytis celebrated the light, sea, and history of the Aegean world, drawing inspiration from the landscapes and traditions of his homeland.

Vitsentzos Kornaros (1553–1613/1614)

A key figure of the Cretan Renaissance and the poet who gave Greek literature the epic poem "Erotokritos". He lived and worked in Candia (Heraklion) during its cultural flowering under Venetian rule. His work is considered a masterpiece of medieval Greek literature and an important part of Crete's cultural heritage.

Michael Damaskinos (c. 1530/35 – 1592/93)

A leading icon painter of the Cretan School of the 16th century, born in Heraklion. Damaskinos was known for combining strict Byzantine canons with elements of Venetian Renaissance painting, creating a style that was innovative for its time. Many of his works are kept today in the Museum of Christian Art in Heraklion.

Minos Kalokairinos (1843–1907)

A local entrepreneur and amateur archaeologist who holds the honour of the first discovery of the Palace of Knossos. In 1878, long before the famous excavations of Arthur Evans, it was Kalokairinos, a resident of Heraklion, who began the first excavations on the hill of Knossos and discovered part of the legendary Labyrinth of the Minotaur, initiating the study of the great Minoan civilisation.

Joseph Sifakis (born 1946)

A world-renowned computer scientist born in Heraklion. In 2007, he was awarded the Turing Award — the most prestigious award in computer science, often called the "Nobel Prize for computing" — for his fundamental contribution to the development of Model Checking.