Today was a rest day. On my two previous visits, in 1977 and then in 2014 with Phil on our way back from Kenya, we just night stopped and went on the following morning so this time, Miranda and I decided it was time to see something of Heraklion. The main attraction is the Knossos, the centre of the Minoan civilisation of 1750 to 1350 BC and home to the legendary Minotaur.
The Knossos is a short bus ride from the city set in country just outside the city boundary. Sir Arthur Evans and the British School of Archaeology carried out extensive excavation and reconstruction of the Knossos in the early part of the 20th century although much of this is now thought to be speculative rather than authentic. Nevertheless it makes for a fascinating tour and should not be missed.
Equally fascinating is a visit to the Archaeological Museum back in Heraklion where most of the smaller objects excavated are now well displayed and written up. Best to see Knossos first and then visit the museum and note that both generally close at the early time of 3 pm local.
The centre of Heraklion has a number of historical buildings of note. After a late lunch, we walked out to the end of the harbour wall and found Pluto, a Monrovia registered general cargo ship of modern design tied up, presumably waiting for a charter. This is a well used way for walking, with or without dogs and jogging; we calculated around 3 miles out and back. On the way is the Venetian Fort Koules, still under restoration as it was when Phil and I were here in 2014.