Heraklion, Administrative capital on Crete, Greece.
Heraklion is the capital of Crete and sits on the northern coast of the island, where old Venetian walls surround the historic center. The city extends from the old harbor to the modern residential districts in the south, crossed by wide avenues and narrow lanes.
The first settlement appeared more than 9,000 years ago and served as the harbor for the palace of Knossos during the Bronze Age. In the 13th century, the Venetians rebuilt the city as a fortress and called it Candia.
The name comes from Herakles, the Greek hero, though locals often call the city Megalo Kastro in daily conversation. People gather for coffee under the arcades of Lions Square, while the pedestrian zone stays lively well into the evening.
The airport sits around 5 km (3 miles) east of the center and connects the city to Athens and many European destinations. Ferries from Piraeus dock regularly at the harbor, usually in the morning or early evening.
Beneath the central square lie remains of the Roman aqueduct that once carried water from the mountains into the city center. Some sections can still be seen during construction work or in small basement spaces in the old town.
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