Koules Fortress is the stronghold of Crete and the landmark of Heraklion.
Greece cordially invites travelers to take an excursion into the past by visiting fascinating places steeped in history. Time travel costs only a couple of euros, and the experience of encountering bygone eras is priceless and will remain in your memory forever.
The jewel in the crown of Heraklion's sights is the mighty Koules Fortress with its centuries-old history. It is impossible to visit the Island of Crete without seeing this ancient architectural structure, which is guarded by the symbols of St. Mark and the patrons of Venice - the lions. Their images are painted on the three main walls of the fortification. These majestic animals are considered to be the patrons of Heraklion.
Each stone of the ancient maritime fortress is literally imbued with history and identity of several eras that the structure has survived. Koules remembers the Arab era (from 820 to 961), the Byzantine period (from 961 to 1204), the Venetian era (from 1204 to 1669) and the Ottoman period (from 1669 to 1898). If you want to get in touch with history and immerse yourself in the events of centuries ago, Cules Fortress is the right place for it.
The original name of the main fortification of Crete was Rocca al Mare. It was called so by the Venetians, and today the ancient fortress is undoubtedly the symbol of Heraklion and is loved by locals and many tourists.
Today it is undoubtedly a symbol of Heraklion and a favorite attraction for locals and tourists. But it is known that the first buildings on the site of the current fortress appeared in the 9-10 centuries. Other sources indicate the existence of the fortress in the 10-13 centuries. The first images of Kules were those of the traveling monk Buondelmonti, who depicted the sea fortification of strategic importance in 1429.
The Cules was begun by the Venetians to defend the city from the sea. Every year they sank dilapidated ships carrying stones from the islands of Thrascia and Dia near the base of Heraklion. Thus they created a protective breakwater at the base of the city.
With the advent of gunpowder in Europe, the defensive properties of the fortress in the Mediterranean waters changed dramatically. The former fortifications underwent changes as part of an ambitious program of the Venetian Senate. The original structure had already suffered considerable damage from seawater and violent earthquakes, so it was decided to demolish the fortress in 1523 to build a new one. The construction took almost 20 years, and the fortification that replaced the old castle, survived the whole century, to remind descendants of the greatness of bygone eras.
Kules is built on rocky ledges above the sea harbor. The two-storey building with three-meter walls stretches over 3,600 square meters. The thickness of the outer walls is nine meters. There are 26 rooms in the building. Previously, you could get into the fortress through three entrances: on the west, north and south-west sides. From the outside the walls were decorated with drawings, inscriptions, reliefs and numerous coats of arms. Visiting the fortress today, you can see preserved two reliefs of winged lions, patronizing the city and its inhabitants.
It is surprising how time has shifted the emphasis on the functionality of the ancient structure. When the fortress was occupied by the military, the first floor held prisoners, ammunition, and provisions. Nowadays, it is used for cultural events, including art exhibitions. The second level is used for presentations and concerts in the open air.
It is incredibly interesting to explore every meter of the territory of Cules, knowing that centuries ago the governor himself, his officers and privates lived here, and the fortress itself was a self-contained structure with its own furnace, chapel, mill, lighthouse and even a mosque.
In recent years, the fortress has been restored and carefully maintained. Six hundred meters away there are the History Museum and the Archaeological Museum of Crete, and a little further, the Municipal Gallery and the Natural History Museum of Crete.
In the Sea Fort, you can visit the Museum's exhibition dedicated to the ceramics, some of which were collected by the divers during special expeditions under the sea. The collection owes some of its exhibits to the famous seafarer Cousteau. The walls of the vessels are densely packed with the remains of minerals and shells. Visitors are shown a film about how the unique items for the exhibition were extracted. The exhibition stands contain detailed information about the purpose of ceramic vessels in the Byzantine and Greek periods, and about the history of pottery in Greece.
The upper tier of Koules fortress is perfect for open-air walks and memorable photo shoots. From here you have an unforgettable view of the sea, the port and Heraklion.
Greece is a unique place where you can be transported back in time to centuries ago - just go on a tour of Koules Fortress and let your imagination fly free. These waves of the sea, washing the centuries-old walls of the defense fortification, can tell a lot of stories, if only you can listen and hear their stories.
To visit the citadel you can choose any day except Monday. The fortress is open to visitors from 8.30 to 15.00 in winter, and to 19.00 in summer. The cost of the ticket is two euros. If you do not want to buy a ticket, you can just take a picture at the foot of the fort - the view is no less beautiful.
It is desirable to tour in good weather, because on the way to the fortress, the code will go on a narrow isthmus, the risk of being sprayed by sea waves. The coolness of the fort's stone walls, where guns and bas-reliefs are on public display, will save you from the heat.
Buses from the city center (with a stop near the hotels) go to the fortress every 15 minutes. The fare is a little more than one and a half euros. To get to the fortress Kules, just find the fountain Morozini. From there leads down the street 25 August. If you follow it for 500 meters without turning around, you will end up on the embankment, and from there it's just a short walk to the bastion. From the embankment to the fortress is a narrow road on the spit. Only 100 meters of walking and you're at the entrance to the legendary fortress of Heraklion.
