Venetian Walls in Heraklion
The fortification of Heraklion, which is considered as one of the bests in Mediterranean, spreads in the length of about 4,5 km and embraces the old city of Heraklion - Candia. It is based on coastal side and originally consists of wide and strong triangular shaped defensive walls,
7 bastions (from east to west):
of Sabbionara, of Vitturi, of Jesus, of Martinego, of Bethlehem, Pantocrator, of Saint Andrew,
4 main gates:
of Molos (used to be at the end of today's 25th August Street), of Saint George, New Gate, Chania Gate,
and 4 military gates:
of Sabbionara, of Bethlehem, of Saint Andrew, of Dermatas.
The first walls were created by Byzantines and then by Arabs during the 9th and 10th centuries. The great construction began in 1462 under the domination of Venetians and took more than a century. The fortress Koules was built (1523 - 1540) to look over the sea area and protect the harbour entrance.
Heraklions fortification faced the second longest siege in history, which lasted for 21 years from 1648 till 1669, when the city was occupied by Ottomans.
Walls survived also aerial bombardment of Germans in World War II.
Some parts of fortification were demolished to made space for modern way of construction of the city in the 20th century.
Although the surroundings are changing, the fortification has remained for centuries. However the walls already lost the original purpose and don't even form the boarders of the city anymore, they have various uses nowadays:
Nearby bastions are entrances to go up on walls, where are paths. This provides the possibility for nice walks, where could be found 'escape' from city streets as the space around paths up there is created like park. It's good choice for observing the city, landscape and the sea from stunning view.
The Saint George Gate, which lays under the Eleftherias Square, is used for art exhibitions.
The Bethleem Bastion/Komeno Bendeni hosts cultural events and summer cinema.
The southest point of fortification - the Martinego Bastion is a place of tomb of the famous writer Nikos Kazantzakis.
The fortress Koules is well known touristic attraction and museum, also may host some cultural events.
Despite that the walls aren't the most famous dominant of the city and are usually forgotten by the most of tourists, it's a place which worth to visit as it may offer to experience the atmosphere of city from different perspective.
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