Heraklion is close to the ruins of the ancient palace of Knossos (build 1700-1400 BC), which was the largest city of the Minoans (7.000 -1450 BC). The Minoans fell possibly from natural disasters and the invasion of the Mycenaeans (1450 - 1375 BC).

Sights:

• The archaeological museum of Heraklion hosts multiple exhibits from the Neolithic age, Minoan to Roman times. This is the most impressive museum in Crete.
  
• The ancient palace of Knossos and ruins of Phaistos are open to the public.

The  Byzantines liberated the island (395 - 824 AD) until the Saracens Arabs (824 - 961 AD) caped it.

Sights:

• Agios Titos Church (962 A.D)

The Arabs founded the city of Heraklion at its present location and build a moat around it and a port to serve the Saracen pirates of the time. The Byzantines retook the city in (961 - 1204 AD) and build many fortifications around the city.

After the Crusades (1204 AD) and the end of the Byzantium, Crete was sold to the Venetians. The Venetian made stronger fortification of the city, which protected the city until the year of 1645 that Turks captured the city.

Sights:

• the Venetian Harbour of Heraklion, with the Koules fort, the Venetian church of San Petro.


• the Chanioporta (1570 AD) the Venetian entrance of the city with a big part of impressive Venetian walls.
• the town hall of Heraklion is the Venetian Loggia building the meeting place of the nobility.
• the Morosini Fountain at the Lions Square and the Bembo Fountain in Heraklion.
• the Martinengo Bastion hosting the monument of the famous Cretan writer (Nikos Kazantzakis)

 The Turks (1648 -1898 AD) lasted until the proclamation of the Cretan State, later followed by the union with Greece.

Sights:

• the turkish fountain. near the Bembo fountain