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Iraklio
( Heraklion ) Crete island
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Venetian
Fortress (Koules) of Iraklion The original name of the fortress was
«Roca al mare», it was built by the Venetians, before the construction
of the new walls. Itwas destroyed by the great earthquake of 1303 and took
its final shape between 1523 and 1540. During the ottoman
occupation,
it served as a prison, in whose dungeons perished many revolutionists.
It is a venetian fortress, built for the protection of the breakwater.
The wall of the city ends up in this fortress. It is built with
massive
rocks and has two floors. The ground floor has a vaulted roof with large
skylights. Thick walls divide the entire place in 26 lodgings, used as
the residences of the Castellan, the captains and the officials, as well
as warehouses. The upper parts as well as the minaret' s foundations are
Turkish. The 13th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquites has carried out works
of consolidation and restoration. The fortress has housed the International
Congress that was held with the occasion of the exhibition of Domenikos
Theotokopoulos'
(El Greco) works. Often, exhibitions and cultural shows are held there.
On the second floor, there is a small theatre. This archaeological place
receives many visitors.
Summer
Opening Hours
Opening
Hours
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Monday:
Closed
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Tuesday-Sunday:
08.30-17.00
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Holy Spirit
Day, 15 August, 28 October: 08.30-15.00
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