Heraklion’s medieval name was Candia
The Arab traders from al-Andalus (Iberia) who founded the Emirate of Crete moved the island's capital from Gortyna to a new castle they called "Castle of the Moat" in the 820s.
This was Hellenized as Chándax or Chándakas and Latinized as Candia, which was taken into other European languages: Italian and 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.
Source Wikipedia
Heraklion (Iraklion) Crete’s Capital
is Crete's main port of entry for visitors arriving either by sea or by air. Heraklion was once the Venetians leading port (the fortress stands guard in the harbour) of the Eastern Mediterranean and remains of the 16th-century wall built around the old city are still visible when Heraklion's medieval name was Candia.
Heraklion is Crete’s Capital and Greece’s fifth largest city. Hectic, a bit noisy as most large city’s. A long waterfront to stroll about with historic buildings of Venetian time to admire, a harbour fortress, arsenals and more.
Virtually everything you're likely to want to see and do lies within the walled city. Heraklion or Iraklion is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island. It is the fifth largest city in Greece with a population of around 142,000.
Agios Georgios Gate to Walled City Photo Y Skoulas
Enter Heraklion’s walled city
South Gate to walled City
Inside the walled city
Venetian walls, building work started 1462. Its well preserved and restored, access very tricky and difficult. The length of the wall varies from 3km up to 5km, different sauces of information available.
The Venetian Harbour
The Venetian Fort, guarding the Venetian Harbour. The Fortress is also known as Rocca al Mare and Koule.
The Venetian Loggia, currently Heraklion City Hall.
the history of Crete since early Christian times.
whose 20 halls represent a whole civilization, unique collection of ceramics, gold and silver ornament and much more.
Nikos Kazantzakis tomb, Martinengo Bastion
the author of the book "Zorba the Greek", is buried at the highest point of the Venetian Walls of Heraklion, the Martinengo Bastion, Its a simple tomb, in stone with an inscription from his own writing “I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free”.
Visit Churches like Agios Markos, Agios Titos, Agios Minas and more.
The Harbour area, The Fortress in the background, The Venetian named it Rocca al Mare. The Turks named it Koule
25th Avgoustou Street
Venetian Morosini fountain a lion inspired work from 1625 located in the city center.
A pleasant stroll in Heraklion
!.7km that links the harbour area, from Platia Kountourioti (in the middle The Three Dolphins statue) to the Fountain Square (Platia Venizelou) and the famous Morosini Fountain.
The most historical and beautiful street in Heraklion is (and always was) the 25th of August Street with the beautiful neoclassical buildings, the Venetian Loggia and the church of Agios Titos, connecting the Venetian harbour to the Square of Lions.
At the harbour end shipping-and travel agencies, car hire and so on followed by shops, bars and restaurants, banks. Plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants along the walk and around Platia Venizelou.
On this Day: 25th of August 1879 in Heraklion, Crete
by Bill Kouras Greek City Times
Heraklion street Meidani
“Another interesting street is the Meidani the central crossroads of Heraklion, where 25th of August Street (the pedestrian street that comes up from the harbour, passes in front of the Lions and continues south by the name of 1821 Street)
The word Meidani is derived from the Turkish meydan (maidan, or open space), and the inhabitants of Heraklion still know the square by this name today. The Venetians called it the Piazza delle Erbe, meaning Vegetable Square, because this was where the central Heraklion fruit, vegetable and meat market began, as it still does today.
Today the Meidani is the heart of the commercial centre of the city and the entrance to the Heraklion central market with its fruit and vegetable stalls, tourist shops and butchers’ shops”
Text by Explore Crete