There are plenty of entertainment options for all tastes and all ages, from foam parties to more traditional nights. During the summer in Crete, visitors meet the locals, and they all become a company and follow their unique way of having fun. After sunset, the world begins to gather in “ouzeries” and “taverns” (shops that are usually located or overlooking the sea) enjoying their tsikoudia (local traditional product) or their ouzo with delicious appetizers.

The sequel unfolds in the various musical scenes, discos, clubs, bars, bouzoukia or in night clubs with live Cretan music, in the beautiful alleys or on the coastal front of every region of the island until the morning. For those who want something more relaxed, there are several art festivals with cultural events, such as theatrical performances, concerts of all kinds, as well as summer cinemas where films are projected mainly in English.

In the center of Heraklion …

At Korae Street (parallel to Daidalos), in the center of Heraklion, one can find a pedestrian street full of café-bars with Greek and foreign music that are open all year round. Younger ages especially prefer it. On the central market of Heraklion (1866, starting from Meidani and reaching Kornarou Square), apart from shops for tourist and traditional Cretan food products, the evening can be enjoyed in the ouzeries and the taverns of the city, listening to Greek traditional and modern folk music. On Kanados street (located just below Lion’s Square and ending on the coastal road of Heraklion) there are also several cafes in the city for those who love Greek music, jazz, Latin, and foreign rock music.

In the square of Saint Titos (Orthodox temple of Saint Titus on 25th August Street) and on the parallel pedestrian streets, the ouzeries, the taverns and the coffee bars that are open until the morning can offer beautiful moments to every local and every foreign visitor. Close to Agios Minas (cathedral saint of Heraklion) on the pedestrian streets are the old “dermitzadika” of the oldest taverns and ouzeries of Heraklion with traditional appetizers and raki, which all ages love. On the coastal boulevard of the city (west of the Venetian fortress of Koules, Sophocles Venizelos Street), all the nightclubs gather. With Greek and foreign music, with open-air shops in summer and sea views, patrons can enjoy the sunrise by sipping their drink. The ages vary according to the mood and endurance of everyone!

Just outside of Heraklion …

For youth, there are the areas of Hersonissos (28 kilometers east of Heraklion) and Malia (34 kilometers east of Heraklion), which have a lively nightlife. There is a large number of pubs, clubs, bars, beach bars where during the summer events are organized while hosting internationally famous D.Js. Another nearby nightlife destination a bit more relaxed is the beach of Agia Pelagia (18 km west of Heraklion) along which there are several cafes with foreign and Greek music as well as beach bars with more relaxed music.

source: https://www.incrediblecrete.gr/

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Knossos, the most important center of Minoan civilization, who are the most magnificent of human history, is the largest Minoan archaeological site ever discovered in Crete. It grows prominently on Kefalas hill, 6 km south of Heraklion, between olive groves, vineyards and cypresses. Next to it flows the Kiraatos river (the current Katsambas). According to tradition, it was the seat of King Minos, whose form was deified (considered to be the son of Europe and Jupiter) and, at the same time, the administrative and religious center of the wider region. With the palace of Knossos, the fascinating myths of the Labyrinth are connected with Minotaur and Daedalus with Icarus. Numerous references to Knossos, its palace and Minoos are found in Homer, Thucydides and many other historians of antiquity. The peak of the city dates back to the Minoan period (2000-1350 BC), during which it was the most important and most populous center of Crete.

The first systematic excavations in the area were made in 1878 by archaeologist Irakliotis Minos Kalokerinos, who excavated part of the western warehouses and brought to light many great pithos. However, sir Arthur Evans granted the honor of discovering the palace, a large part of the Minoan city and the cemeteries (1900-1931). Since then the excavations in the wider area of ​​Knossos are being continued from the “English School of Archeology” and the Communal Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. The visit to the archaeological site of Knossos starts from the west entrance of the palace and follows a circular path.

The palace of Knossos

Without any doubt, the most impressive find of the ancient city is the brilliant Minoan palace which was built in two phases in 1900 BC. and in 1700-1450 BC. and has an area of 22,000 sq.m.

From the southern entrance, where there is a copy of the famous “Princess with the lilies” (the prototype is displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion), you enter the central courtyard. From here, the three wings start. On the west, there is the throne room with an anteroom and a mainly room where the original stone throne and the tripartite Sanctuary with caches, storehouses and treasuries were found.

In the east, there are the royal apartments, the double pillars room (named after the worshiping symbols found on the walls), the Queen’s palace with the dolphin wall paintings (the prototypes are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion) the workshops, and last but not least the workshop of the stonework and the warehouses.

At the northern entrance is the customs office, with columns and pillars. Outside the palace, in the northwest is the Lustral basin , the theater with rectangular diagonal scene and stepped seating, and the royal road leading to the small palace, consisting of a portico with columns, a paved courtyard, a Lustral basin and an underground cache. Northeast of the large palace, we recommend you to visit the royal mansion and 1 km away, the royal tomb.

Πηγή: http://www.visitgreece.gr/

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It is one of the most beautiful islands in Greece with exotic beaches, endless sandy beaches, lush vegetation, hospitable residents and good food. Exactly hat one needs in order to spend a few days of enjoyable holidays.

We are of course talking about Crete, which stands out for a very basic reason; its many famous beaches with crystal clear waters and endless sandy beaches. No matter where you choose to stay, you will definitely find a beach that will steal your heart and leave you with the best impressions.

Check out some of the island’s most famous beaches …

1. Balos, Chania

At the northwestern tip of Crete, you will find an exotic lagoon beach that leaves the visitor speechless. Very fine sand and shallow crystal clear waters make up a dreamy setting, while being protected by the program “Natura”.

2. Preveli, Rethymnon

Clear waters, palm trees and white sand are the three main features of this heavenly beach in Rethymno. Having matched all the elements of nature it is loved by the visitors of the island.

3. Falassarna, Chania

An exotic place with fine sand and clear waters, so large and wide that it makes you think you are on another tropical island. It is one of the most famous destinations on the island.

4. Matala, Heraklion

The famous beach of southern Crete in the Heraklion has crystal clear waters and a mysterious landscape waiting for you to explore it. This is a well-organized beach with easy access.

5. Elafonissi, Chania

It is located in western Crete 75 km southwest of Chania and the landscape there is literally heavenly. The white sand gets a few pink shades while crystal clear waters call you for diving in … a dream. Elafonissi’s narrow peninsula looks like its being  cut from a shallow lagoon that separates the central beach with the famous islet and the experience is absolutely unique.

6. Vai, Lassithi

One of the most famous sights in Crete is the palm forest of Vai with the beach that is there to magnetize the eyes and gather crowds of people. It is located 24 km east of Sitia and is an organized beach where visitors can enjoy various water sports.

7. Chrysi, Lasithi

Also known as Gaidouronisi, Chrissi beach is a paradise that is reached by a boat from Ierapetra. Beaches with water in all shades of blue in a unique color palette. It is a truly unique scenery

source: https://www.newsbeast.gr/

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Saint Catherine Square is a pleasant oasis in the heart of the city. Here there are coffee for the grown-ups, while the children have plenty of space to play safely. A characteristic feature of the square is the hundreds of pigeons that many locals come to feed daily.

St. Catherine

The temple of the monastery of Saint Catherine, north-east of Ag. Minas, was formerly a founder of the Monastery of Sinai, who gave it to the Metropolitan Church of St. Minas in 1924.

The monastery of Saint Catherine was founded around the 10th century  century, and the building that survives today was the main temple of the monastery. The temple was built in the 16th century century with obvious influences of Venetian architecture.

The monastery of Saint Catherine had several incomes at that time to preserve many monks. The Saint Catherine School of Sinai in the period between 1550-1640 emerges as a university education faculty where ancient Greek writers were taught Philosophy, Theology, Rhetoric and Painting. Graduates of the school excelled.

After 1669 it turned into a mosque known as the Zulfjakar Ali Mosque. As a Muslem mosque it operated until 1922 when the last Muslims left Heraklion with the exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey.

Saint Catherine since 1967 holded great exhibitions of Byzantine icons and holy objects (manuscripts, bibles, frescoes, etc.) representing six centuries of Orthodox Church history (14th – 19th centuries).

Among other things, six unique works of the famous hagiographer Michael Damaskinos, an important figure of the Cretan School, are exhibited at the site.

The temple helds annually a church service on Saint Catherine’s feast day. If you want to visit it, the exhibition is open daily 9.30-15.30. There is an entrance ticket.

The Cretan School of Hagiography

After the fall of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, by the Turks in 1453, Constantinopolitan painters migrated to the Venetian-occupied Crete, passing through the sacred art of hagiography.

At the end of the 15th century, the Venetian brought the Renaissance Italian painting style in Crete, which merged with the Byzantine tradition, forming a completely separate style in the 16th and 17th centuries which is called the Cretan School of Hagiography.

Its main features are the perfection of the forms, which are rendered more earthy, and the obsession on detail given with vivid color. From this artistic environment comes the great painter Dominikos Theotokopoulos, known globally as El Greco.

It should be noted that in the 1600s Heraklion had 20,000 inhabitants and 200 painters, a very high number that shows the artistic flowering in Crete. This bloom was unfortunately interrupted violently by the occupation of Heraklion by the Turks in 1669.

Among the most important representative of the Cretan School is Michael Damaskinos. Born around 1535, he studied at Heraklion and spent several years in Venice. Michael Damaskinos seems to have consolidated the rules of the Cretan School. In the church of Saint Catherine there are 6 of his creations.

Other representatives of the Cretan School are Georgios Klontzas and Theophanis Kris.

source: http://www.explorecrete.com/

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