Paliokastro, Crete
Encyclopedia
Palaiokastro or Paliokastro is a coastal village located 9 km west of Heraklion
on the island of Crete
. It is situated in front of a 70 meter long pebbled beach leading to a cove
with rapidly deepening waters that are protected
from the prevailing northerly winds. On the southern end of the beach rises a steep calcareous
rock. During the Venetian
occupation of Crete extensive fortifications were built on this rock, housing cannons
that secured the bay of Heraklion. Ruins of the fortress walls survive until today.
Heraklion
Heraklion, or Heraclion is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete, Greece. It is the 4th largest city in Greece....
on the island of Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
. It is situated in front of a 70 meter long pebbled beach leading to a cove
Cove
A cove is a small type of bay or coastal inlet. They usually have narrow, restricted entrances, are often circular or oval, and are often inside a larger bay. Small, narrow, sheltered bays, inlets, creeks, or recesses in a coast are often considered coves...
with rapidly deepening waters that are protected
from the prevailing northerly winds. On the southern end of the beach rises a steep calcareous
Calcareous
Calcareous is an adjective meaning mostly or partly composed of calcium carbonate, in other words, containing lime or being chalky. The term is used in a wide variety of scientific disciplines.-In zoology:...
rock. During the Venetian
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
occupation of Crete extensive fortifications were built on this rock, housing cannons
Cannon in the Middle Ages
Artillery in the Middle Ages primarily consisted of the introduction of the cannon, large tubular firearms designed to fire a heavy projectile over a long distance. They were used in China, Europe and the Middle East during the period....
that secured the bay of Heraklion. Ruins of the fortress walls survive until today.
External links
- Παλαιόκαστρο: ο φρουρός μιας πρωτεύουσας (in Greek)