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Agios Titos church. Heraklion
The original church of Agios Titos on this location was probably built in 961 A.D. by the Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus Phokas, who liberated Crete from the Arabs and made it again part of the Byzantine Empire. The church was dedicated to Agios Titos, a disciple of Apostle Paul and first Bishop of Crete.
During the Turkish occupation from Crete, the church of Agios Titos was turned into a mosque, named Vezir mosque. In the severe earthquake of 1856 that hit Crete, the temple was entirely destroyed and rebuilt as an Ottoman mosque by architect Athanasios Mousis. The minaret was destroyed in 1920 when the last Ottomans left the island of Crete
During the Turkish occupation from Crete, the church of Agios Titos was turned into a mosque, named Vezir mosque. In the severe earthquake of 1856 that hit Crete, the temple was entirely destroyed and rebuilt as an Ottoman mosque by architect Athanasios Mousis. The minaret was destroyed in 1920 when the last Ottomans left the island of Crete
Koules Fortress. Heraklion
The site was possibly first fortified by the Arabs in the 9th or 10th centuries. By the second Byzantine period, a tower known as Castellum Comunis stood on the site. In 1303, the tower was destroyed in an earthquake but was repaired.
In 1462, the Venetian Senate approved a program to improve the fortifications of Candia. The fortress was completed in 1540. In 1630, the fort was armed with 18 cannons on the ground floor, and 25 cannons on the pathway leading to the roof. During the 21-year long Siege of Candia, Ottoman batteries easily neutralized the fort's firepower. The Ottomans eventually took the fort in 1669, after the Venetians surrendered the entire city.
In 1462, the Venetian Senate approved a program to improve the fortifications of Candia. The fortress was completed in 1540. In 1630, the fort was armed with 18 cannons on the ground floor, and 25 cannons on the pathway leading to the roof. During the 21-year long Siege of Candia, Ottoman batteries easily neutralized the fort's firepower. The Ottomans eventually took the fort in 1669, after the Venetians surrendered the entire city.
Artist's rendering of original Palace of Knossos
Settled as early as the Neolithic period, the name Knossos survives from ancient Greek references to the major city of Crete. The palace of Knossos eventually became the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization and culture. The palace was abandoned at some unknown time at the end of the Late Bronze Age, c. 1380–1100 BC;[5] the reason is unknown, but one of the many disasters that befell the palace is generally put forward.
Palace of Knossos
Cult procession
Reconstruction of frescos from the South Propylaeum of the Palace of Knossos showing a cult procession. Note the use of red paint for the male figures.
Cup bearers and Water Carriers
Stairway to the main courtyard
Artist's rendering of Palace of Knossos Courtyard
Constructed around 1700BC, Knossos Palace is the most complex in Greece and thought to be the first palace built in the Middle Minoan IO period.
This is a somewhat similar view as the previous picture.
This is a somewhat similar view as the previous picture.
The restored north entrance.
The fresco depicts a charging bull.
The Grand Staircase
The largest staircase in the Palace of Knossos (Crete) and has been described as one of the masterpieces of Minoan architecture. It consisted of two flights of stairs repeated on each floor and framed by a colonnade supporting the superstructure. The Grand Staircase was leading to the Royal Apartments. The two lower levels are original, while the two upper have been restored by Arthur Evans.
Water was brought in from the mountain.
Prince of the Lilies
It is dated to "Late Minoan IA" by Sinclair Hood, circa 1550 BC, in the Neopalatial ("new palace") period between 1750 and 1500 BC).
Storage Pits
Amphitheater.
One of the first stone constructed theaters in human history (1450 BC). The capacity of the theater is estimated at 500 people.
In the southeast corner is a square space, the official gallery, where it is thought that the royal family might have sat to watch the events. The other spectators, standing on the low steps of the wings, would have watched, along with the royal family, religious ceremonies, athletic games or dances.
In the southeast corner is a square space, the official gallery, where it is thought that the royal family might have sat to watch the events. The other spectators, standing on the low steps of the wings, would have watched, along with the royal family, religious ceremonies, athletic games or dances.
Church of Saint Georgios, Rethymno
Looking out to the snow covered peaks.
Oleander
Historic Lighthouse, Rethymno
The lighthouse of the Venetian harbor of Rethymno is the second largest remaining Egyptian lighthouse in Crete. It is built on the edge of the old harbour of Rethymnon.
The lighthouse we see today was built during the Egyptian Occupation of Crete in the decade of 1830, when the Turks handed Crete to the Egyptians. Possibly there was an older Venetian lighthouse at the site.
The lighthouse we see today was built during the Egyptian Occupation of Crete in the decade of 1830, when the Turks handed Crete to the Egyptians. Possibly there was an older Venetian lighthouse at the site.
Fortezza of Rethymno
The Fortezza (Greek: Φορτέτζα, from Italian for "fortress") is the citadel of the city of Rethymno in Crete, Greece. It was built by the Venetians in the 16th century, and was captured by the Ottomans in 1646.
Fortezza Movie
Looking out from inside the fortress - a very large area once intended to house the townspeople within the walls of the fortress.
Looking out over the ramparts.
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