View source for Place:Heraklion

{{Short description|City in Crete, Greece}}
{{Infobox Greek Dimos
|name               = Heraklion
|name_local         = {{lang|el|Ηράκλειο}}
|image_map          = 2011 Dimos Irakliou.png
|image_skyline      = 
<!-- RECT X beginning (left), Y beginning (top), X end (right), Y end (bottom). -->
<imagemap>
File:Heraklion Montage L.png|center|275px|alt=Heraklion montage. Clicking on an image in the picture causes the browser to load the appropriate article, if it exists.
rect 12 11 987 437 [[Place:Heraklion|Panoramic view of the city of Heraklion]]
rect 12 450 520 853 Venetian fortress of Koules/Castello
rect 532 450 987 853 Agios Minas Cathedral
rect 13 867 987 1202 [[Place:Heraklion#Port|Harbor of Heraklion]]
</imagemap>
|caption_skyline    = '''Clockwise from top:''' Panoramic view of the city of Heraklion and the Sea of Crete, Agios Minas Cathedral, Night view of the [[Place:Heraklion#Port|Harbor of Heraklion]], and Venetian fortress of Koules/Castello.
|city_flag          = 
|city_seal          = [[File:Seal of Heraklion.svg|90px|]]
|coordinates        = {{wikidataCoord||region:GR_type:city(173993)|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_min      = 0
|elevation_max      = 33
|periph             = Crete
|periphunit         = Heraklion
|pop_municipality   = 173,993
|area_municipality  = 244.6
|pop_municunit      = 151,324
|area_municunit     = 109.0
|population_urban   = 211,370<ref>[https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=urb_lpop1&lang=en appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu]</ref>
|districts          = 
|mayor              = Vasilis Lambrinos<ref>{{cite web |title=Βιογραφικό Σημείωμα Δημάρχου κου Βασίλη Λαμπρινού {{!}} Δήμαρχος {{!}} Ο Δήμος {{!}} |url=https://www.heraklion.gr/municipality/mayor/mayor-cv.html |website=www.heraklion.gr |access-date=2 November 2022 |language=el}}</ref>
|party              = 
|since              =
|demonym            = Heraklian, Heraclian
|population_as_of   = 2011
|postal_code        = 70x xx, 71x xx, 720 xx
|area_code          = 281
|licence            = HK, HP, HZ
|website            = [http://www.heraklion-city.gr/ Heraklion-city.gr]
}}

'''Heraklion''' or '''Herakleion''' ({{IPAc-en|h|ɪ|ˈ|r|æ|k|l|i|ə|n}} {{respell|hih|RAK|lee|ən}}; {{lang-el|Ηράκλειο}}, {{transl|el|Irákleio}}, {{IPA|el|iˈrakli.o|pron}}),<ref>[http://forvo.com/word/%CE%B7%CF%81%CE%AC%CE%BA%CE%BB%CE%B5%CE%B9%CE%BF/#el Pronunciation for Ηράκλειο]</ref> sometimes '''Iraklion''', is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete and capital of Heraklion regional unit. It is the fourth largest city in Greece with a municipal population of 177,064<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Population-Housing Census |url=https://www.statistics.gr/el/2021-census-pop-hous-results |access-date=2022-01-08 |website=www.statistics.gr}}</ref> and 211,370 in its wider metropolitan area,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=urb_lpop1&lang=en |title=Population on 1 January by age groups and sex - functional urban areas |publisher=Eurostat |access-date=1 June 2022}}</ref> according to the 2011 census.

The ancient Minoan palace at Knossos is located 5.5 km (3.1m) southeast of the city. It is the second most visited [[Social:Archaeological site|archaeological site]] in Greece, after the Parthenon.

Heraklion was Europe's fastest growing tourism destination for 2017, according to Euromonitor, with an 11.2% growth in international arrivals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.euromonitor.com/top-100-city-destination-ranking-2017/|title=Top 100 City Destination Ranking 2017|date=2017-01-26|website=Market Research Blog|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-04-01|archive-date=2020-11-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129231545/https://blog.euromonitor.com/top-100-city-destination-ranking-2017/|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to the ranking, Heraklion was ranked as the 20th most visited region in Europe, as the 66th area on the planet and as the 2nd in Greece for the year 2017, with 3.2 million visitors<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.euromonitor.com/white_paper/top-100-city-destinations-ranking-wtm-london-2017-edition/|title=Top 100 City Destinations Ranking: WTM London 2017 Edition|website=Market Research Blog|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-04-01}}</ref> and the 19th in Europe for 2018, with 3.4 million visitors.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Geerts|first=Wouter|date=2018|title=Top 100 City Destinations 2018|url=http://go.euromonitor.com/rs/805-KOK-719/images/wpTop100CitiesEN_Final.pdf?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWkRFeVptVXlNVFZtT1ROaCIsInQiOiIwWUJWRXkwVmZRQlFRTmFnNXYzNDJ1YXBwREdweTFNUm5BeTdacXgrMmVtSlZPbjJOOUtIR0pMRDBzMk8wUGJJQXJZOUFWcnIxc3BYaUlwZlRZZEVLU3FMRFlPQlE0ZTVnTVNh|journal=Euromonitor International}}</ref>

==Etymology==

The Arab traders from al-Andalus (Iberia) who founded the Emirate of Crete (824/827–961 CE) moved the island's capital from Gortyna to a new castle they called ''rabḍ al-ḫandaq'' ({{lang-ar|ربض الخندق}}, "Castle of the Moat") in the 820s.<ref>''Encyclopaedia of Islam'', ''s.v.'' Iķrīṭish</ref> This was hellenized as Χάνδαξ (''Chándax'') or Χάνδακας (''Chándakas'') and Latinized as '''Candia''', which was taken into other European languages: in [[Social:Italian language|Italian]] and [[Social:Latin language|Latin]] as ''Candia'', in French as ''Candie'', in English as ''Candy'', all of which could refer to the island of Crete as a whole as well as to the city alone; the [[Place:Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] name was ''Kandiye''.{{cn|date=December 2022}}

After the Byzantine reconquest of Crete, the city was locally known as ''Megalo Kastro'' ({{lang|el|Μεγάλο Κάστρο}},{{citation needed|date=May 2016}} 'Big Castle' in [[Social:Greek language|Greek]]) and its inhabitants were called ''Kastrinoi'' (Καστρινοί, "castle-dwellers").

The ancient name Herakleion (Ηράκλειον) was revived in the 19th century.<ref>It was in use by the local people by 1867, see {{cite book |first=Samuel Gridley |last=Howe |title=The Cretan refugees and their American helpers |date=1868 |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_TXcKAAAAIAAJ/page/n33 |publisher=Lee and Shepard |location=Boston |page=33 |via=archive.org}}</ref> It derives from the ancient sunken port city of Heracleion, located near the Canopic Mouth of the Nile, and which remained submerged until its rediscovery in the 2000s.

==History==
[[File:Knossos palace.jpg|left|thumb|209x209px|Knossos is located within the Municipality of Heraklion and has been called Europe's oldest city<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Whitelaw|first1=Todd|last2=Morgan|first2=Catherine|date=November 2009|title=Crete|journal=Archaeological Reports|volume=55|pages=79|doi=10.1017/s0570608400001307|s2cid=231735198|issn=0570-6084}}</ref>|alt=]]

===Minoan era===

Heraklion is close to the ruins of the palace of Knossos, which in Minoan times was the largest centre of population on Crete. Knossos had a port at the site of Heraklion (in the Poros-Katsambas<ref>{{Cite book|chapter=The Earlier Prepalatial Settlement of Poros-Katsambas: craft production and exchange at the harbour town of Knossos |first1=N. |last1=Dimopoulou |first2=D.E. |last2=Wilson |first3=P.M. |last3=Day |editor-first1=P.M. |editor-last1=Day |editor-first2=R. |editor-last2=Doonan |title=Metallurgy in the Early Bronze Age Aegean |series=Sheffield Studies in Aegean Archaeology |date=2007 |pages=84–97 |url=https://www.academia.edu/30665853 |publisher=Oxbow Books}}</ref> neighborhood) from the beginning of the Early Minoan period (3500 to 2100 BC).

[[File:Θεά των Όφεων 6393 (cropped).JPG|thumb|254x254px|The snake goddess (c.1600 BC) in Heraklion Archaeological Museum|alt=|left]]

===Antiquity===
After the fall of the Minoans, Heraklion, as well as the rest of Crete in general, fared poorly, with very little development in the area. Only with the arrival of the Romans did some construction in the area begin, yet especially early into Byzantine times the area abounded with pirates and bandits.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Heraklion in Crete island - Greeka.com |url=https://www.greeka.com/crete/heraklion/heraklion-history.htm |website=Greeka |access-date=11 February 2019 }}</ref>

===Emirate of Crete===

The present city of Heraklion was founded in 824 by the Arabs under Abu Hafs Umar who had been expelled from Al-Andalus by Emir Al-Hakam I and had taken over the island from the Eastern Roman Empire.{{cn|date=December 2022}} They built a [[Chemistry:Moat|moat]] around the city for protection, and named the city ''rabḍ al-ḫandaq'' (ربض الخندق, "Castle of the Moat", hellenized as Χάνδαξ, ''Chandax''). It became the capital of the Emirate of Crete ({{Circa|827}}–961). The Saracens allowed the port to be used as a safe haven for pirates who operated against Imperial (Byzantine) shipping and raided Imperial territory around the Aegean.{{cn|date=January 2022}}

===Byzantine era===

In 960, [[Place:Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] forces under the command of Nikephoros Phokas, later to become Emperor, landed in Crete and attacked the city. After a prolonged siege, the city fell in March 961. The Saracen inhabitants were slaughtered, the city looted and burned to the ground.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} Soon rebuilt, the town remained under Byzantine control for the next 243 years.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

===Venetian era===
[[File:Città di Candia - Francesco Basilicata - 1618.jpg|thumb|Representation of the city of Candia and the surrounding area by Francesco Basilicata, 1618|251x251px]]
In 1204, the city was bought by the [[Place:Republic of Venice|Republic of Venice]] as part of a complicated political deal which involved, among other things, the Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade restoring the deposed Eastern Roman Emperor Isaac II Angelus to his throne. The Venetians improved on the ditch of the city by building enormous fortifications, most of which are still in place, including a giant wall, in places up to 40 m thick, with 7 bastions, and a fortress in the harbour. Chandax was renamed ''Candia'' and became the seat of the Duke of Candia, and the Venetian administrative district of Crete became known as "Regno di Candia" (Kingdom of Candia). The city retained the name of Candia for centuries and the same name was often used to refer to the whole island of Crete as well. To secure their rule, the Venetians began in 1212 to settle families from Venice on Crete. The coexistence of two different cultures and the stimulus of the [[History:Italian Renaissance|Italian Renaissance]] led to a flourishing of letters and the arts in Candia and Crete in general, that is today known as the ''Cretan Renaissance''.

===Ottoman era===


During the Cretan War (1645–1669), the Ottomans besieged the city for 21 years, from 1648 to 1669, the longest siege in history up until that time. In its final phase, which lasted for 22 months, 70,000 Turks, 38,000 Cretans and slaves and 29,088 of the city's Christian defenders perished.<ref>[http://www.msc.gr/veniva/uk/main/p2.htm The War for Candia]</ref> The Ottoman army under an Albanian grand vizier, Köprülü Fazıl Ahmed Pasha conquered the city in 1669.
[[File:Τάφος Καζαντζάκη 4811 01.JPG|thumb|The tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis in the Martinego bastion|alt=|258x258px|left]]

Under the Ottomans, ''Kandiye'' (Ottoman Turkish قنديه) was the capital of Crete (''Girit Eyâleti'') until 1849, when Chania (''Hanya'') became the capital, and Kandiye became a sancak.<ref name="sezen">Tahir Sezen, ''Osmanlı Yer Adları'', Ankara 2017, T.C. Başbakanlık Devlet Arşivleri Genel Müdürlüğü Yayın No: 26 [http://devletarsivleri.gov.tr/varliklar/dosyalar/eskisiteden/yayinlar/genel-mudurluk-yayinlar/osmanli_yer_adlari.pdf#page=420 ''s.v.'', p. 410]</ref> In Greek, it was commonly called ''Megalo Castro'' (Μεγάλο Κάστρο 'Big Castle').

During the Ottoman period, the harbour silted up, so most shipping shifted to Chania in the west of the island.

===Modern era===
An earthquake located off the northern coast of Crete on October 12, 1856, destroyed most of the over 3,600 homes in the city. Only 18 homes were left intact. The disaster claimed 538 victims in Heraklion.<ref name=NGDC>{{citation|title=Significant Earthquake Database|url=https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazel/view/hazards/earthquake/event-more-info/2005|author=National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS)|publisher=National Geophysical Data Center, [[Organization:National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]|doi=10.7289/V5TD9V7K|year = 1972|type = Data Set}}</ref>

In 1898, the autonomous [[Place:Cretan State|Cretan State]] was created, under Ottoman suzerainty, with Prince George of Greece as its High Commissioner and under international supervision. During the period of direct occupation of the island by the Great Powers (1898–1908), Candia was part of the {{wipe|United Kingdom}} zone. At this time, the city was renamed "Heraklion", after the [[History:Ancient Rome|Roman]] port of Heracleum ("[[Religion:Heracles|Heracles]]' city"), whose exact location is unknown.{{cn|date=June 2022}}

In 1913, with the rest of Crete, Heraklion was incorporated into the Kingdom of Greece. Heraklion became again capital of Crete in 1971, replacing Chania.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.visit-ancient-greece.com/heraklion.html
 |title=Heraklion
 |access-date=2 September 2015
 |publisher=visit-ancient-greece.com
 |archive-date=28 April 2019
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428104701/https://www.visit-ancient-greece.com/heraklion.html
 |url-status=dead
 }}</ref>

==Architecture, urban sculpture and fortifications==

The oldest monument of architecture is palace in Knossos on the outskirts of the city.

Two largest medieval churches in the city were the Dominican church of St. Peter (built between 1248 and 1253) and the San Salvatore, belonging to the Augustinian Friars. The latter one stood in Kornaros Square, but was demolished in 1970.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ilko |first1=Krisztina |title=Recovering the Augustinian Convent of San Salvatore in Venetian Candia |journal=Journal of Ecclesiastical History |date=2021 |volume=72 |issue=2 |pages=259–263 |doi=10.1017/S0022046920000755 |s2cid=228866606 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-ecclesiastical-history/article/recovering-the-augustinian-convent-of-san-salvatore-in-venetian-candia/B19D763642F3DEA569F25FAF35813EE0#article |access-date=7 April 2021}}</ref>

Other monuments of architecture from Venetian times include the Saint Mark's Basilica and the Renaissance loggia next to Lions Square (1626–28).

Around the historic city center of Heraklion there are also a series of defensive walls, bastions and other fortifications which were built earlier in the Middle Ages, but were completely rebuilt by the [[Place:Republic of Venice|Republic of Venice]]. The fortifications managed to withstand the longest siege in history for 21 years, before the city fell to the [[Place:Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] in 1669. The Koules Fortress (''Castello a Mare''), the ramparts and the arsenal dominate the port area.

Many fountains of the Venetian era are preserved, such as the ''Bembo'' fountain, the ''Priuli'' fountain, ''Palmeti'' fountain, ''Sagredo'' fountain and ''Morosini'' fountain in Lions Square (1628).

19th century architecture is represented by the St Titus Cathedral, built in 1869 as the Yeni Cami ("New Mosque") and the Agios Minas Cathedral (1862–95).

An example of modern architecture in Heraklion is the Heraklion Archaeological Museum built between 1937 and 1940 by architect Patroklos Karantinos.

Several sculptures, statues and busts commemorating significant events and figures of the city's and island's history, like El Greco, Vitsentzos Kornaros, Nikos Kazantzakis and Eleftherios Venizelos can be found around the city.

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Knossos - 08.jpg|Knossos Palace
File:Άγιος Πέτρος των Δομηνικανών 8470.jpg|Dominican church of St. Peter
File:Βασιλική του Αγίου Μάρκου 9276.jpg|Saint Mark's basilica
File:Kreta - Iraklion - Venezianische Loggia.jpg|Venetian Loggia
File:2016-07-25 Heraklion 063.jpg|Morosini fountain in Lions Square
File:Πύλη Παντοκράτορα Ηράκλειο 3583.jpg|Venetian walls, Pantokratoras Gate
File:Venetian Fortress of Koules.jpg|Koules Fortress
File:Iraklion Agios Titos R01.jpg|Saint Titus Cathedral
File:Agios Minas Cathedral 01.jpg|Agios Minas Cathedral
</gallery>

==Municipality==
[[File:20110927 St. Peter of Dominicans Heraklion Crete Greece Panorama.jpg|thumb|290x290px|The Saint Peter of Dominicans, one of the oldest monuments of architecture of the Cistercian monks in the 12th century.]]
The municipality Heraklion was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 5 former municipalities, that became municipal units:<ref name=Kallikratis>{{Cite web|url=http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wGYK2xFpSwMnXdtvSoClrL8-SrPzKAEPjjtIl9LGdkF53UIxsx942CdyqxSQYNuqAGCF0IfB9HI6hq6ZkZV96FIukI0UzcPsWCK0LpLhpa7rhiWB4R5ntTnoWw7U8E1Amg.|title=ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text|language=el|publisher=Government Gazette}}</ref>

*Gorgolainis
* Heraklion
*Nea Alikarnassos
*Paliani
*Temenos

The municipality has an area of 244.613&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, the municipal unit 109.026&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name="stat01">{{cite web|url=http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |publisher=National Statistical Service of Greece |title=Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation) |language=el |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921212047/http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-21 }}</ref>

==Neighborhoods==
[[File:Historical Museum of Crete Front 2016.jpg|thumb|Historical Museum of Crete|220x220px]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|• Agia Ekaterini
|• Dimokratias
|• Marathitis
|-
|• Agia Erini Chrisovalantou
|• Estavromenos
|• Mastabas
|-
|• Agia Marina
|• Filothei
|• Mesabelies
|-
|• Agia Triada
|• Fortetsa
|• Mpentevi
|-
|• Agios Dimitrios
|• Ilioupoli
|• Nea Alatsata
|-
|• Agios Ioannis Chostos
|• Kamaraki
|• Pananio
|-
|• Agios Minas
|• Kaminia
|• Papatitou Metochi
|-
|• Agios Titos
|• Katsampas
|• Pateles
|-
|• Akadimia
|• Kenouria Porta
|• Poros
|-
|• Ampelokipoi
|• Kipoupoli
|• Therissos
|-
|• Analipsi
|• Komeno Mpenteni
|• Tris Vagies
|-
|• Atsalenio
|• Korakovouni
|• Xiropotamos
|-
|• Chanioporta
|• Koroni Magara
|
|-
|• Chrisopigi
|• Knossos
|
|-
|• Dilina
|• Lido
|
|}

==Suburbs==
[[File:Amnissos - panoramio (1).jpg|thumb|252x252px|A panoramic view of Amnissos|alt=]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|• Agia Erini
|• Finikia
|• Ksirokabos
|-
|• Agia Marina
|• Gazi urban area
|• Malades
|-
|• Agioi Theodoroi
|• Giofyrakia
|• Nea Alikarnassos urban area
|-
|• Agios Syllas
|• Gournes Temenous
|• Sillamos
|-
|• Ammoudara
|• Kallithea
|• Skafidaras
|-
|• Amnisos
|• Karteros
|• Skalani
|-
|• Ano Kalesia
|• Kato Kalesia
|• Vasilies
|-
|• Athanati
|• Kavrochori
|• Voutes
|-
|• Dafnes
|• Kollyvas
|
|}

==Villages==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a location to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> 
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
*Psari Forada

==Transportation==

===Port===

Heraklion is an important shipping port and ferry dock. Travellers can take ferries and boats from Heraklion to destinations including [[Biography:Santorini|Santorini]], Ios Island, Paros, Mykonos, and Rhodes. There are direct ferries to Naxos, Karpathos, Kasos, Sitia, Anafi, Chalki and Diafani.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.directferries.co.uk/heraklion_ferry.htm|title=Heraklion ferry, compare prices, times and book tickets}}</ref> There are also several daily ferries to Piraeus, the port of [[Place:Athens|Athens]] in mainland Greece. The port of Heraklion was built by Sir Robert McAlpine and completed in 1928.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Robert_McAlpine|title=Sir Robert McAlpine|publisher=Grace's Guide|access-date=16 December 2019}}</ref>

{{wide image|Crete Iraklio1 tango7174.jpg|950px|Panoramic view of the old harbour}}

===Airport===
Heraklion International Airport, or Nikos Kazantzakis Airport is located about {{convert|5|km|0|abbr=off}} east of the city. The airport is named after Heraklion native Nikos Kazantzakis, a writer and a philosopher. It is the second busiest airport of Greece after Athens International Airport, first in charter flights and the 59th busiest in Europe, because of Crete being a major holiday destination with 8,066,000 passengers in 2022 (List of the busiest airports in Europe).

The airfield is shared with the 126th Combat Group of the {{wipe|Hellenic Air Force}}.

===Highway network===
European route E75 runs through the city and connects Heraklion with the three other major cities of Crete: Agios Nikolaos, Chania, and Rethymno.

===Public transit===
[[File:Αστικό λεωφορείο Ηρακλείου 9277.jpg|thumb|250px|Urban bus in Heraklion]]
Urban buses serve the city, with 39 different routes.<ref>[http://www.astiko-irakleiou.gr Iraklio urban buses]</ref> Intercity buses connect Heraklion to many major destinations in Crete.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ktelherlas.gr/en|title=ΚΤΕΛ Ηρακλείου - Λασιθίου Κρήτης &#124; Online Κράτηση εισιτηρίων για λεωφορεία - Δρομολόγια Λεωφορεία Κρήτης}}</ref>

===Railway===
From 1922 to 1937, a working industrial railway connected the Koules in Heraklion to Xiropotamos for the construction of the harbor.<ref>Tzikas, Polykarpos; Konstantinos, Mamalakis; Tertipis, Dimitrios; Charitopoulos, Evangelos. «Μέσα σταθερής τροχιάς στην Κρήτη: Δίκτυα βιομηχανικών σιδηροδρόμων κατά το πρώτο μισό του 20ου αιώνα». Proceedings of the 12th International Congress of Cretan Studies.</ref>

In the summer of 2007, at the Congress of Cretan emigrants, held in Heraklion, two qualified engineers, George Nathenas (from Gonies, Malevizi Province) and Vassilis Economopoulos, recommended the development of a railway line in Crete, linking Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion, with a total journey time of 50 minutes (30 minutes between Heraklion and Rethymno, 20 minutes from Chania to Rethymno) and with provision for extensions to Kissamos, Kastelli Pediados (for the planned new airport), and Agios Nikolaos. No plans exist for implementing this idea.{{cn|date=December 2021}}

==Climate==
Heraklion has a hot-summer [[Earth:Mediterranean climate|Mediterranean climate]] (''Csa'' in the [[Earth:Köppen climate classification|Köppen climate classification]]). Summers are warm to hot and dry with clear skies. Dry hot days are often relieved by seasonal breezes. Winters are mild with moderate rain. Because Heraklion is further south than [[Place:Athens|Athens]], it has a warmer climate during winter but cooler during summer because of the Aegean Sea. The maximum temperature during the summer period is usually not more than 28 - 30&nbsp;°C (Athens normal maximum temperature is about 5&nbsp;°C higher). The minimum temperature record is -0.8&nbsp;°C in the airport while in the port it has never dropped below 0&nbsp;°C. Snowfalls are rare with the last significant snowfall with a measurable amount on the ground occurring in February 2004. <ref>{{Cite web |title=ΠΑΤΡΙΣ - ΑΡΧΕΙΟ ΗΛΕΚΤΡΟΝΙΚΗΣ ΕΚΔΟΣΗΣ |url=https://archive.patris.gr/articles/27712/6337 |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=archive.patris.gr}}</ref> Heraklion falls in 11a [[Hardiness zone|hardiness zone]]. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.meteo.gr/Monthly_Bulletins.cfm | title=Meteo.gr - Προγνώσεις καιρού για όλη την Ελλάδα }}</ref>

{{Weather box
| location = Heraklion Port 10 m a.s.l. (2007-2023)
| width = 70%
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
|Jan high C=15.6
|Feb high C=16.1
|Mar high C=17.2
|Apr high C=19.9
|May high C=23.1
|Jun high C=26.2
|Jul high C=28.3
|Aug high C=28.3
|Sep high C=26.4
|Oct high C=23.1
|Nov high C=20.8
|Dec high C=17.5

|Jan mean C= 13.0
|Feb mean C=13.5
|Mar mean C=14.6
|Apr mean C=17.2
|May mean C=20.5
|Jun mean C=24.1
|Jul mean C=26.6
|Aug mean C=26.7
|Sep mean C=24.4
|Oct mean C=20.9
|Nov mean C=18.4
|Dec mean C=15.0

|Jan low C= 10.4
|Feb low C= 10.8
|Mar low C= 11.9
|Apr low C=14.5
|May low C=17.8
|Jun low C=21.9
|Jul low C=24.9
|Aug low C=25.1
|Sep low C=22.4
|Oct low C=18.7
|Nov low C=15.9
|Dec low C= 12.5

|Jan record high C  = 29.7
|Feb record high C  = 29.4
|Mar record high C  = 26.4
|Apr record high C  = 33.5
|May record high C  = 38.3
|Jun record high C  = 37.2
|Jul record high C  = 36.6
|Aug record high C  = 38.0
|Sep record high C  = 37.3
|Oct record high C  = 32.8
|Nov record high C  = 31.7
|Dec record high C  = 29.6
|Jan record low C   = 1.4
|Feb record low C   = 2.4
|Mar record low C   = 3.4
|Apr record low C   = 9.1
|May record low C   = 12.9
|Jun record low C   = 15.6
|Jul record low C   = 19.9
|Aug record low C   = 20.7
|Sep record low C   = 15.8
|Oct record low C   = 11.6
|Nov record low C   = 9.3
|Dec record low C   = 5.0
|Jan rain mm=60.7
|Feb rain mm=49.0
|Mar rain mm=31.4
|Apr rain mm=13.0
|May rain mm=12.8
|Jun rain mm=4.1
|Jul rain mm= 0.2
|Aug rain mm= 1.6
|Sep rain mm=15.2
|Oct rain mm=43.8
|Nov rain mm=32.4
|Dec rain mm=53.4

|source 1= National Observatory of Athens Monthly Bulletins (May 2007 -  Dec 2023) <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.meteo.gr/Monthly_Bulletins.cfm | title=Meteo.gr - Προγνώσεις καιρού για όλη την Ελλάδα }}</ref> |source 2= Heraklion Port N.O.A station <ref>{{cite web | url=https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/heraclionport/ | title=Latest Conditions in Heraklion Port }}</ref> and [[Organization:World Meteorological Organization|World Meteorological Organization]]<ref name="WMO">{{cite web | url=https://oscar.wmo.int/surface/#/search/station/stationReportDetails/0-300-1-heraclionport | title=World Meteorological Organization | accessdate=14 July 2023}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
| location = Heraklion 1955-2010 (HNMS)
| width = 70%
| collapsed = yes
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| Jan record high C = 29.9
| Feb record high C = 28.8
| Mar record high C = 34.0
| Apr record high C = 37.5
| May record high C = 38.0
| Jun record high C = 41.3
| Jul record high C = 43.6
| Aug record high C = 44.5
| Sep record high C = 39.5
| Oct record high C = 37.0
| Nov record high C = 32.8
| Dec record high C = 28.5
| Jan high C = 15.3
| Feb high C = 15.5
| Mar high C = 17.0
| Apr high C = 20.1
| May high C = 23.6
| Jun high C = 27.3
| Jul high C = 28.9
| Aug high C = 28.8
| Sep high C = 26.6
| Oct high C = 23.6
| Nov high C = 20.2
| Dec high C = 17.1
| year high C = 
| Jan mean C = 12.1
| Feb mean C = 12.2
| Mar mean C = 13.6
| Apr mean C = 16.6
| May mean C = 20.4
| Jun mean C = 24.5
| Jul mean C = 26.4
| Aug mean C = 26.3
| Sep mean C = 23.7
| Oct mean C = 20.3
| Nov mean C = 16.8
| Dec mean C = 13.8
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C = 9.1
| Feb low C = 8.9
| Mar low C = 9.8
| Apr low C = 12.0
| May low C = 15.1
| Jun low C = 19.2
| Jul low C = 21.9
| Aug low C = 22.0
| Sep low C = 19.5
| Oct low C = 16.7
| Nov low C = 13.5
| Dec low C = 10.9
| year low C = 
| Jan record low C = 0.0
| Feb record low C = -0.8
| Mar record low C = 0.3
| Apr record low C = 4.2
| May record low C = 6.0
| Jun record low C = 12.2
| Jul record low C = 14.5
| Aug record low C = 16.6
| Sep record low C = 12.0
| Oct record low C = 8.7
| Nov record low C = 4.2
| Dec record low C = 2.4
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 91.0
| Feb rain mm = 69.0
| Mar rain mm = 53.4
| Apr rain mm = 28.2
| May rain mm = 13.4
| Jun rain mm = 2.9
| Jul rain mm = 0.8
| Aug rain mm = 0.9
| Sep rain mm = 16.7
| Oct rain mm = 59.4
| Nov rain mm = 59.6
| Dec rain mm = 85.6
| Jan rain days = 16.0
| Feb rain days = 13.6
| Mar rain days = 11.4
| Apr rain days = 7.6
| May rain days = 4.6
| Jun rain days = 1.3
| Jul rain days = 0.3
| Aug rain days = 0.5
| Sep rain days = 2.8
| Oct rain days = 7.5
| Nov rain days = 10.6
| Dec rain days = 15.2
| year rain days = 
| Jan humidity = 68.4
| Feb humidity = 66.4
| Mar humidity = 65.9
| Apr humidity = 62.3
| May humidity = 61.2
| Jun humidity = 57.0
| Jul humidity = 57.1
| Aug humidity = 59.1
| Sep humidity = 61.9
| Oct humidity = 65.7
| Nov humidity = 67.9
| Dec humidity = 68.3
| year humidity = 
| Jan sun = 119.9
| Feb sun = 132.3
| Mar sun = 181.5
| Apr sun = 234.8
| May sun = 298.5
| Jun sun = 356.2
| Jul sun = 368.3
| Aug sun = 343.5
| Sep sun = 275.8
| Oct sun = 206.9
| Nov sun = 145.5
| Dec sun = 115.4
| source 1 = HNMS<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.hnms.gr/emy/en/climatology/climatology_city?perifereia=Crete&poli=Heraklion
|title = Climatic Data for selected stations in Greece: Heraklion (Crete)
|access-date = 17 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Climate Atlas of Greece (for sunshine 1977-2002) |url=http://climatlas.hnms.gr/sdi/?lang=EN |publisher=HNMS |access-date=20 July 2021}}</ref>
| source 2 = meteo-climat (extremes)<ref name= meteo-climat>{{cite web
  |url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/station-530-Heraklion.php
  |title= STATION HERAKLION
  |publisher = meteo-climat
  |access-date = December 2, 2018}}</ref>
| date = December 2018
| source = 
}}

{|style="width:100%;text-align:center;line-height:1.2em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
!Colspan=14|Climate data for Heraklion
|-
!Month
!Jan
!Feb
!Mar
!Apr
!May
!Jun
!Jul
!Aug
!Sep
!Oct
!Nov
!Dec
!style="border-left-width:medium"|Year
|-
!Average sea temperature °C (°F)
|style="background:#FFFDF6;color:#000000;"|17.1<br />(62.8)
|style="background:#F5F5FF;color:#000000;"|16.4<br />(61.5)
|style="background:#F7F7FF;color:#000000;"|16.5<br />(61.7)
|style="background:#FFFDF6;color:#000000;"|17.1<br />(62.8)
|style="background:#FFCD2A;color:#000000;"|19.5<br />(67.1)
|style="background:#FF8900;color:#000000;"|23.0<br />(73.4)
|style="background:#FF5A00;color:#000000;"|25.4<br />(77.7)
|style="background:#FF4C00;color:#000000;"|26.1<br />(79.0)
|style="background:#FF5A00;color:#000000;"|25.4<br />(77.7)
|style="background:#FF8300;color:#000000;"|23.3<br />(73.9)
|style="background:#FFB800;color:#000000;"|20.6<br />(69.1)
|style="background:#FFE388;color:#000000;"|18.4<br />(65.1)
|style="background:#FFB500;color:#000000;border-left-width:medium"|20.7<br />(69.3)
|-
!Mean daily daylight hours
|style="background:#F0F011;color:#000000;"|10.0
|style="background:#F7F722;color:#000000;"|11.0
|style="background:#FFFF33;color:#000000;"|12.0
|style="background:#FFFF44;color:#000000;"|13.0
|style="background:#FFFF55;color:#000000;"|14.0
|style="background:#FFFF66;color:#000000;"|15.0
|style="background:#FFFF55;color:#000000;"|14.0
|style="background:#FFFF44;color:#000000;"|13.0
|style="background:#FFFF33;color:#000000;"|12.0
|style="background:#F7F722;color:#000000;"|11.0
|style="background:#F0F011;color:#000000;"|10.0
|style="background:#F0F011;color:#000000;"|10.0
|style="background:#FFFF34;color:#000000;border-left-width:medium"|12.1
|-
!Average [[Astronomy:Ultraviolet index|Ultraviolet index]]
|style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|3
|style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|4
|style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|5
|style="background:#f85900;color:#000000;"|7
|style="background:#d8001d;color:#000000;"|9
|style="background:#d8001d;color:#000000;"|10
|style="background:#6b49c8;color:#000000;"|11
|style="background:#d8001d;color:#000000;"|10
|style="background:#d8001d;color:#000000;"|8
|style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|5
|style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|3
|style="background:#289500;color:#000000;"|2
|style="background:#f85900;color:#000000;border-left-width:medium"|6.4
|-
!Colspan=14 style="background:#f8f9fa;font-weight:normal;font-size:95%;"|Source: Weather Atlas <ref name="Weather Atlas">{{cite web |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/greece/heraklion-climate |title=Heraklion, Greece - Monthly weather forecast and Climate data |publisher=Weather Atlas |access-date=25 January 2019 }}</ref>
|}
[[File:Heraklion ilmastodiagrammi.png|right|thumb|Climate graph of Heraklion]]

==Colleges, universities, libraries, and research centers==

* University of Crete
* Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU) (Former TEI)
* MBS College
* Foundation for Research & Technology - Hellas
* Nicolas Kitsikis Library
* Vikelaia Library

==Culture==

[[File:Musée histoire naturelle de Crète à Héraklion.JPG|thumb|200px|Natural History Museum of Crete]]
[[File:Cultural and Conference Center of Crete (Heraklion).jpg|thumb|200px|Cultural and Conference Center]]
[[File:Pagkritio.jpg|thumb|200px|Pankritio Stadium]]
[[File:Heraklion Indoor Sports Arena interior.jpg|thumb|200px|Heraklion Indoor Sports Arena|alt=]]

===Museums===
* Heraklion Archaeological Museum
* Cretaquarium
* Historical Museum of Crete
* Natural History Museum
* The Battle of Crete and National Resistance Museum
* Nikos Kazantzakis Museum
* Collection of Agia Aikaterini of Sinai
* Museum of Visual Arts

===Arts===
The Cultural and Conference Center of Heraklion is a centre for the performing arts.

===Sports===
The city is home to several sports clubs. Most notably, Heraklion hosts OFI and Ergotelis, two football clubs with earlier presence in the Greek Superleague, the top tier of the Greek football league system. Furthermore, the city is the headquarters of the Heraklion Football Clubs Association, which administers football in the entire region. Other notable sport clubs include Iraklio B.C. (basketball), Atsalenios (football) and Irodotos (football) in the suburbs of ''Atsalenio'' and Nea Alikarnassos respectively.

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="4"|Notable Sport clubs based in Heraklion
|-
!width="150"|Club
!Founded
!Sports
!Current Season
|-
| OFI||1925||Football, Basketball ||Superleague, Greek C Basket League
|-
| Ergotelis||1929||Football, Basketball||Football League, Cretan Basket League
|-
| Iraklio||1928||Basketball ||Cretan Basket League
|-
|Irodotos||1932||Football, Basketball||Football League,  Cretan Basket League
|-
|Atsalenios||1951||Football||Gamma Ethniki
|}

===Local TV stations===
* Channel 4
* Creta Channel
* Kriti TV
* MyTV

==Notable people==
[[File:Nikolaos Kalliakis (1645 - 1707).jpg|200px|thumb|Nicholas Kalliakis was a significant Renaissance humanist, scholar and philosopher from Heraklion.<ref>{{cite book |author=Lathrop C. Harper |title= Catalogue / Harper (Lathrop C.) inc., New York, Issue 232|publisher= Lathrop C. Harper, Inc |year= 1886 |page=36 |oclc=11558801|quote= Calliachius (1645–1707) was born on Crete and went to Italy at an early age, where he soon became one of the outstanding teachers of Greek and Latin. }}</ref>]]
[[File:El Greco - Portrait of a Man - WGA10554.jpg|thumb|200px|El Greco (Dominikos Theotokopoulos)]]
[[File:Cyril-Lucaris.jpg|thumb|200px|Cyril Lucaris]]
[[File:Kazantzakis Grab.jpg|thumb|200px|Epitaph on Nikos Kazantzakis' grave. ''I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I'm free''.]]

Heraklion has been the home town of some of Greece's most significant people, including the novelist Nikos Kazantzakis (best known for ''Zorba the Greek''), the poet and Nobel Prize winner Odysseas Elytis and the world-famous painter Domenicos Theotokopoulos (El Greco).

===Literature===
* Elli Alexiou (1894–1988) author
* Minás Dimákis (1913–1980) poet
* Odysseas Elytis (1911–1996) Nobel awarded poet
* Tess Fragoulis, Greek-Canadian author
* Rea Galanaki (1947–present) author
* Giritli Ali Aziz Efendi (1749–1798), author and diplomat
* Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957) author
* {{Interlanguage link multi|Menelaos Parlamas|el|Μενέλαος Παρλαμάς}} (1911–1997) author and scholar
* Pedro de Candia, (1485–1542) author and travel writer, recorded the Spanish Conquest of the Americas
* Stephanos Sahlikis (1330-after 1391) poet
* Lili Zografou (1922–1998) author

===Scientists and academia===
* Nicholas Kalliakis (1645–1707) Greek Cretan [[Philosophy:Scholar|scholar]] and [[Biography:Philosopher|philosopher]]<ref>{{cite book |author1=Rose, Hugh James |author2=Rose, Henry John |author3=Wright, Thomas |title= A new general biographical dictionary, Volume 5 |publisher= T. Fellowes |year= 1857 |page=425|oclc=309809847 |quote=CALLIACHI, (Nicholas,) a native of Candia, where he was born in 1645. He studied at Rome for ten years, at the end of which time he was made doctor of philosophy and theology. In 1666 he was invited to Venice, to take the chair of professor of the Greek and Latin languages, and of the Aristotelic philosophy; and in 1677 he was appointed professor of belles-lettres at Padua, where he died in 1707. His works on antiquities are valuable, and have been published by the marquis Poloni in the third volume of his Supplement to the Thesaurus Antiquitatum. }}</ref>
* Niccolò Comneno Papadopoli (1655–1740) lawyer, historian and librarian
* Andreas Musalus ({{Circa|1665|1721}}) Greek Cretan professor of mathematics, philosopher and architectural theorist<ref name=" Accademia nazionale dei Lincei 1977 429 ">{{cite book |title=Convegno internazionale nuove idee e nuova arte nell '700 italiano, Roma, 19–23 maggio 1975 |publisher=Accademia nazionale dei Lincei |year=1977 |page=429 |oclc= 4666566 |quote= Nicolò Duodo riuniva alcuni pensatori ai quali Andrea Musalo, oriundo greco, professore di matematica e dilettante di architettura chiariva le nuove idée nella storia dell’arte.}}</ref>
* Francesco Barozzi (1537–1604) mathematician and astronomer
* [[Biography:Joseph Solomon Delmedigo|Joseph Solomon Delmedigo]] (1591-1655) rabbi, author, physician, mathematician and musical theorist
* Fotis Kafatos biologist, President of the European Research Council
* Spyros Kokotos (1933–present) architect
* Marcus Musurus (Markos Mousouros) (1470–1517) scholar and philosopher
* Peter of Candia also known as Antipope Alexander V: philosopher and scholar
* [[Biography:Joseph Sifakis|Joseph Sifakis]] (1946–present) computer scientist, co-recipient of the 2007 Turing Award
* Michael N. Katehakis (1952–present) applied mathematician and operations researcher at [[Organization:Rutgers University|Rutgers University]]
* Gerasimos Vlachos (1607–1685), scholar
* Simone Stratigo (ca. 1733–1824), Greek mathematician and an Nautical science expert, whose family was from Heraklion (Candia)<ref name=" Carlo Capra, Franco Della Peruta, Fernando Mazzocca 2002 pp.200">{{cite book |author1=Carlo Capra |author2=Franco Della Peruta |author3=Fernando Mazzocca |title= Napoleone e la repubblica italiana: 1802–1805 |publisher= Skira |year= 2002 |page=200 |isbn= 978-88-8491-415-6 |quote= Simone Stratico, nato a Zara nel 1733 da famiglia originaria di Creta (abbandonata a seguito della conquista turca del 1669)}}</ref>

===Painting and sculpture===
* Theophanes (ca.1500–1559) painter of icons
* Michael Damaskinos (1530/35-1592/93) painter of icons
* Georgios Klontzas (1535-1608) painter
* El Greco (1541–1614) mannerist painter, sculptor and architect
* Yiannis Parmakelis (1932-), sculptor
* Andreas Ritzos (1422–1492) painter of icons
* Aristidis Vlassis (1947–2015) painter
* Konstantinos Volanakis (1837–1907) painter

===Film industry===
* Rika Diallina (1934-), actress and model, Miss Hellas
* Ilya Livykou (1919–2002), actress
* Sapfo Notara (1907–1985), actress
* Yannis Smaragdis (1946-), film director

===Music===
* Rena Kyriakou (1918–1994) pianist
* Francisco Leontaritis (Francesco Londarit) (1518–1572) composer
* Giannis Markopoulos (1939–) composer
*Myron Michailidis (1968–)  conductor
* Manolis Rasoulis (1945–2011) lyrics writer
* Notis Sfakianakis (1959–) singer
* Lena Platonos, pianist

[[File:Francesco barozzi.jpg|thumb|265x265px|Francesco Barozzi ]]

===Spirituality===
* [[Biography:Maria Papapetros|Maria Papapetros]] - [[Unsolved:Psychic|psychic]], spiritual healer, spiritual consultant

===Sports===
* Kyle Hamilton (born 2001), American football player<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/Article/Notre-Dame-running-backs-Mick-Assaf-Micks-Mickstape-Season-2-Volume-1-143798194/|title=Notre Dame RB Mick Assaf: Mick's Mickstape Season 2 Volume 1}}</ref>
* Nikos Machlas (born 1973), footballer
* Georgios Samaras (born 1985), footballer
* Greg Massialas (born 1956), American fencer
* Michalis Karlis (born 2003), basketball player
* Giorgos Giakoumakis (Born 1994), footballer

===Business===
* Constantine Corniaktos (1517–1603) wine merchant and wealthiest man in the Eastern European city of Lviv<ref>{{cite book |author=I︠A︡roslav Dmytrovych Isai︠e︡vych |title=Voluntary brotherhood: confraternities of laymen in early modern Ukraine |publisher=Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies Press |year=2006 |page= 47|isbn=1-894865-03-0 |quote= …the Greek merchants Constantine Korniakt and Manolis Arphanes Marinetos are added. This second redaction appeared no earlier than 1589, as wealthy Greeks began to join the confraternity at a later date, once it had expanded its activities. Korniakt was actually the wealthiest man in Lviv: he traded in Eastern, Western, and local goods, collected customs duty on behalf of the king, and owned a number of villages. }}</ref>
* Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki (1955-) business woman, lawyer and politician

===Politics and law===

* Emin Ali Bedir Khan (1851-1926), Kurdish diplomat
* Leonidas Kyrkos (1924–2011), politician
* Aristidis Stergiadis (1861–1950) High Commissioner of Smyrna
* Georgios Voulgarakis (1959-) conservative politician
* Romilos Kedikoglou (1940-) President of the Court of Cassation of Greece

===Clergy===
* Maximos Margunios (1549–1602), bishop of Cyrigo (Kythira)
* Kyrillos Loukaris (1572–1637) theologian, Pope & Patriarch of Alexandria as Cyril III and Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople as Cyril I
* Meletius Pegas, Pope & Patriarch of Alexandria
* Theodore II (1954-) Pope & Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa
* Peter Phillarges (ca. 1339–1410) (also Pietro Di Candia, later Pope Alexander V)
* Makarios Griniezakis  (1973-) Greek Orthodox Archbishop of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia 
[[File:Marcus Musurus 02.jpg|thumb|219x219px|Marcus Musurus]]

===Fashion===
* Maria Spiridaki (1984) fashion model and television presenter

==International relations==
[[File:Περιφέρεια Κρήτης 8997.jpg|thumb|200px|Prefecture of Crete]]

===Consulates===
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|
* {{flagicon|AUT}} Austria
* {{flagicon|BEL}} Belgium
* {{flagicon|CZE}} [[Place:Czech Republic|Czech Republic]]
* {{flagicon|DEN}} {{wipe|Denmark}}
* {{flagicon|FIN}} {{wipe|Finland}}
* {{flagicon|FRA}} {{wipe|France}}
* {{flagicon|GER}} {{wipe|Germany}}
* {{flagicon|HUN}} Hungary
||
* {{flagicon|IRE}} Republic of Ireland
* {{flagicon|ITA}} Italy
* {{flagicon|NED}} Netherlands
* {{flagicon|NOR}} {{wipe|Norway}}
* {{flagicon|PHI}} {{wipe|Philippines}}
* {{flagicon|POL}} {{wipe|Poland}}
* {{flagicon|KOR}} {{wipe|South Korea}}
* {{flagicon|UK}} {{wipe|United Kingdom}}
|}

==Twin towns and sister cities==
Heraklion is twinned with:
* {{flagicon|CYP}} Limassol, Cyprus<ref name="Limassol twinnings">{{cite web|url=http://www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy/twin.html|title=Limassol Twinned Cities|access-date=2013-07-29|work=Limassol (Lemesos) Municipality|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401221134/http://www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy/twin.html |archive-date=2013-04-01}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Romania}} Constanța, Romania (1992)<ref name="Cu ce oraşe este înfrăţit municipiul Constanţa?">{{cite web|url=https://www.ziuaconstanta.ro/diverse/stiri-calde/cu-ce-orase-este-infratit-municipiul-constanta-688467.html|title=Cu ce oraşe este înfrăţit municipiul Constanţa?|access-date=2019-04-07|work=Ziua de Constanța| date=7 April 2019 }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|UKR}} Odesa, Ukraine (1992)<ref name="Greek twinnings">{{cite web|url=http://www.kedke.gr/uploads/twinnedcities.pdf|title=Twinnings|access-date=2013-08-25|work=Central Union of Municipalities & Communities of Greece|archive-date=2016-01-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115172503/http://www.kedke.gr/uploads/twinnedcities.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Spain}} [[Place:Toledo, Spain|Toledo]], Spain (2017)
* {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Place:Nizhny Novgorod|Nizhny Novgorod]], Russia (2018)
* {{flagicon|USA}} Tampa, United States (2019)
* {{flagicon|Serbia}} Čukarica, Serbia (2019)
* {{flagicon|China}} Ningbo, China (2019)

==Location==

{| cellpadding="0" style="margin: 1em auto; border:1px solid #aaaaaa; background-color:#f8f8f8; clear: both; font-size:120%; text-align:center;"
|-
| &nbsp; &nbsp; || &nbsp;'''Fira'''&nbsp;&nbsp; || &nbsp;&nbsp;
|-
| &nbsp;'''Chania''' – '''Rethymno'''&nbsp; ||[[File:Brosen windrose.svg|150px]]|| &nbsp;'''Agios Nikolaos'''&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
|-
| &nbsp;Tympaki – '''Moires'''&nbsp; || &nbsp;Archanes&nbsp;&nbsp; || &nbsp;'''Ierapetra'''&nbsp;
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Herklionview.jpg|View of the port from the fortress
File:Boats in the harbour - Heraklion, Crete.jpg|View of the port
File:Venetian Arsenals in Heraklion Crete.jpg|The harbour
File:Gran muralla a Herakleion2.jpg|Α part of the Venetian harbour (used as shipyards)
File:Δίσκος της Φαιστού πλευρά Α 6380.JPG|The Phaistos Disk (2nd millennium BC) in Heraklion Archaeological Museum
File:Konrad von Grünenberg - Beschreibung der Reise von Konstanz nach Jerusalem - Blatt 19v-20r.jpg|Depiction of Candia, 1487
File:Idomeneas fountain 4050559.JPG|Idomeneas fountain
File:Jesus Gate, Heraklio 7153543.JPG|Jesus Gate, part of the Fortifications of Heraklion
File:Chanioporta and Pantokratoras Gate.JPG|Chanioporta and Pantokratoras Gate
File:Bebo fountain 5142853.JPG|Bembo fountain
File:Αγία Αικατερίνη των Σιναϊτών 7392.jpg|Saint Catherine Church
File:Vue du siege de Candie en 1669.jpg|Depiction of the Siege of Candia
File:St Matthew of the Sinaites 5313056.JPG|''St. Matthew of the Sinaites'' Byzantine church
File:Theodoros Vardinogiannis Stadium 2019.jpg|Theodoros Vardinogiannis Stadium, home ground of OFI FC
File:Κούλες 15.jpg|Interior of the Fortress
File:A monk shows the Cretan Saracens where to build Chandax.jpg|A monk shows the Saracens where to build Chandax
File:Candia III.jpg|Map of Heraklion and its fortifications in 1651
File:Minoan fresco depicting a bull leaping scene, found in Knossos, 1600-1400 BC, Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete (30547636456).jpg|Minoan fresco depicting a bull leaping scene, found in Knossos, 1600-1400 BC, Heraklion Archaeological Museum
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Organization:Centre for Technological Research of Crete|Centre for Technological Research of Crete]]
* European Network and Information Security Agency
* Foundation for Research & Technology - Hellas
* Lions Square
* Minoan civilization
* Siege of Candia (1648–1669)
* TEI of Crete

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Wikivoyage-inline}}
* [http://www.heraklion.gr/en Municipality of Heraklion]
* [http://www.heraklion-crete.org/ Heraklion information]
* [http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/main_cities/heraklion Heraklion] - The Greek National Tourism Organization
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140605051225/http://www.heraklion.gr/en/municipality/vikelaia Vikelaia Library]
* {{curlie|Regional/Europe/Greece/Prefectures/Heraklion}}
*[http://historic-cities.huji.ac.il/greece/iraklion/iraklion.html Old maps of Heraklion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316102922/http://historic-cities.huji.ac.il/greece/iraklion/iraklion.html |date=2022-03-16 }} - Eran Laor Cartographic Collection, The National Library of Israel, in [http://historic-cities.huji.ac.il/historic_cities.html Historic Cities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325051637/http://historic-cities.huji.ac.il/historic_cities.html |date=2022-03-25 }}



[[Category:Greek regional capitals]]

{{Sourceattribution|Heraklion}}