Koules Fortress

The Venetians built Rocca a Mare between 1523 and 1540 at the end of the mole protecting Heraklion's harbour, and the Ottomans later called it Su Kulesi, the water tower, which became Koules in Greek. The fort is a low massive block with walls up to nine metres thick at the base, designed to absorb cannon fire, containing twenty-six vaulted chambers on the ground floor that served as stores, barracks and, at times, prison cells. Three marble reliefs of the winged lion of Saint Mark are set into the exterior walls. Restored and reopened in 2016, it now houses exhibitions including material recovered from shipwrecks, and its roof terrace gives a view back over the harbour, the city and Mount Juktas behind.

What you actually see

• The vaulted chambers - twenty-six rooms in the fort's thick ground floor.
• The lion reliefs - Venetian emblems carved on the outer walls.
• The roof terrace - views over the harbour and the city.
• The exhibitions - shipwreck finds and displays on the fort's history.

When to go

Year-round; the walk along the mole is pleasant in the evening and the fort is a good rainy-day option. Summer midday on the terrace is hot and unshaded.

Honest expectations

The interior is bare stone chambers with modest displays, and the visit takes under an hour. The mole walk is exposed in wind. It is often combined with the archaeological museum rather than visited alone.

Nearby

Heraklion's archaeological museum and market are in the centre; Knossos lies five kilometres south.