car hire Heraklion

The capital of Crete, the Greek city of Heraklion (also known as Iraklion) was founded in 824 by the Saracens, who constructed a moat around the city for defense. The early inhabitants of the area were known to provide safe haven to pirates, a practice that did not sit well with the nearby Byzantine Empire. In 961, the Byzantines routed and looted Heraklion, and took control of the city for the next couple centuries. The Venetians "bought" Heraklion in 1204, assuming power in a non-violent manner. The next change of hands was much more malevolent, with the Turks of the Ottoman Empire starting a long period of battle that finally ended after 20 years in 1669 with the Ottomans claiming control of Heraklion. They pulled out in 1898, after which the city was incorporated into the Kingdom of Greece, in 1913. Today, Heraklion is a prominent shipping dock and ferry port, as well as a popular holiday spot for travellers.

The Palace of Knossos stands just a few kilometres south of Heraklion, and is without question one of the most revered archaeological sites worldwide. This labyrinthine structure, the most extensive of any preserved Minoan palatial centre, will take you a good couple hours to explore (guided tours are also available and quite educational). Sections of the network of buildings date back to 1700 B.C., and among the structures are residential quarters, religious ceremony areas, workshops, administrative headquarters, and various other nooks. Fascinating frescoes adorn many of the walls, most depicting religious ceremonies.

Heraklion International Airport (also known as Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, after the famous Greek philosopher and scribe), is an easy place to pick up your hire car, and Heraklion is generally a practical base for side trips all around Crete. Archaeology buffs will find Gortyna an edifying supplement to the Palace of Knossos. This ancient city's remains can be found about 45 kilometres south of Heraklion. Around 500 B.C., settlers here inscribed a code of law into stone, and these stones have been reassembled for visitors' viewing. Also to be seen here are some grand Roman structures, including a small Hellenistic theater, the Basilica of Ayios Titos, and a stadium.