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Castles & Forts

Crete’s strategic Mediterranean position is reflected in its diverse fortifications, spanning from the sprawling Bronze Age palaces of Knossos and Phaistos to massive Venetian maritime bastions. The 16th-century Fortezza in Rethymno and the iconic Koules fortress in Heraklion represent the height of Venetian military engineering, while the Izzedin Fortress showcases Ottoman-era architecture. These sites, including the isolated island stronghold of Spinalonga and the coastal castle of Frangokastello, offer a chronological journey through the island's defensive evolution and architectural heritage.

Castles & Forts — Kaart

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

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Fortezza Fortress

The Fortezza 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…

Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Koules

The Koules or Castello a Mare is a fortress located at the entrance of the old port of Heraklion, Crete, Greece.

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Knossos Palace

Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and has been called Europe's oldest city.Settled as early as the Neolithic…

Jerzy Strzelecki / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Palace of Phaistos

Phaistos, also transliterated as Phaestos, Festos and Latin Phaestus, is a Bronze Age archaeological site at modern Faistos, a municipality…

C messier / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Venetian City Walls

Encircling the city, these walls remember much more than just the Venetians. Definitely visit if you're in the town.

//www.kastra.eu / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Castle of Palaiokastro

A 16th-century Venetian fortification built on a steep hill overlooking the Bay of Heraklion. Constructed to protect the coast from pirate raids, the site contains ruins of three tiered levels and a small chapel.

Trolez Stephanie / CC-BY-SA

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Spinalonga fort

This 16th-century Venetian island fortress was built to guard the entrance to the port of Elounda. It later served as an Ottoman settlement and is widely known for its 20th-century history as a leper colony.

Wouter Hagens / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Kazarma fortress

The mighty Venetian fortress looms over a lovely seaside town with plenty of character. A very nice place to visit.

Doris Antony / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Frangokastello

Frangokastello is the location of a castle and scattered settlement on the south coast of Crete, Greece, about 12 km east of Chora Sfakion…

Graeme Churchard / CC BY 2.0

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Izzedin Fortress

The Izzeddin Fortress is an Ottoman fortress in Souda Bay, Crete, near the village of Kalami, best known for its role as a prison for…

Frente / CC BY-SA 3.0 de

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Castel Bonriparo (Monopari)

A 13th-century Genoese fortress built by Enrico Pescatore on an isolated, naturally fortified hill. The site features remnants of defensive walls and cisterns from the Genoese and subsequent Venetian periods.

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Fortress of Kales

Located at the entrance of Ierapetra’s old harbor, this fortress was originally constructed by the Venetians in the 13th century. Rebuilt by the Ottomans after 1647, the structure served as a primary coastal defense.