Venetian Walls of Heraklion

Built to guard the city from foreign invasions, the Venetian Walls of Heraklion are 7 km fortifications surrounding the city. These are perfectly preserved and are living examples of military architecture during the Venetian period. You can visit three main attractions located within the walls, which consist of two open theatres and a tomb.

The walls consists seven massive bastions: Saint Andrew, Pantocrator, Bethlehem, Martinengo, Jesus, Vitturi, and Sampionara. The construction of the Venetian Walls began in 1462. Over a period of more than 100 years, the walls were meticulously built to form an isosceles triangle with its base along the coastline and its apex at the Martinengo bastion.

The Venetian Walls are easily accessible from the city center of Heraklion. Visitors can reach the walls by walking, as they are within a short distance from most central locations in the city. Public transportation, including buses and taxis, also provide convenient access to the site.

For those interested in exploring this historical marvel, the best approach is to start at the city center and follow the main streets leading towards the walls. Informative signs and maps are available to guide tourists through the key points of interest within the walls.