Heraklion - Venetian Loggia

Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, is located about 100 km south of the Peloponnese. Crete was the center of Europe's first advanced civilization, the Minoans, from 3000 to 1400 BC. The Minoan civilization was overrun by the Mycenaean civilization from mainland Greece. Crete was later ruled by Rome, then successively by the Byzantine Empire, Andalusian Arabs, the Byzantine Empire again, the Venetian Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. In 1898 Crete, whose people had for some time wanted to join the Greek state, achieved independence from the Ottomans, formally becoming the Cretan State. Crete became part of Greece in December 1913.

Heraklion is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete. With a municipal population of about 180.000 it is the fourth largest city in Greece. The greater area of Heraklion has been continuously inhabited since at least 7000 BCE, making it one of the oldest inhabited regions in Europe. As a major center of the Minoan civilization it often considered Europe's oldest city.


The Venetians erected this luxurious building so that the nobles and lords could spend their time in comfort. It is considered one of the most elegant architectural monuments in Heraklion from the Venetian period. The building was built around 1628 by Francisco Morosini, the General Provost of Crete, and is located next to the armoury (Armeria).

After the conquest of the city by the Turks, the Loggia lost its old identity and fame.

Today the town hall is located in the Venetian loggia.