Half a morning in Heraklion, Crete

My beautiful city, Heraklion.
I do not visit it as often as I want to, but when I do, I want to make the most of my walks there.

Last Saturday morning, I visited Heraklion since early morning.
At 8 in the morning I was there.

I needed to be a guide for a certain place, and then I would be free for a few hours!

As soon as I had the opportunity, I immediately took a look around and I found which road I would follow.

There was not so much to see there, but I saw a lovely building (neoclassical - now operating partially as a bank) and some trees that I tried to put in a frame.

I walked around 10 minutes or so, until I saw a closed building. This one is a historical building that is unfortunately wrapped so that noone can see what is inside. I hope that it can be renovated at some point.

I tried to peak inside and I saw a couple of cats living happily - and most importantly I saw that they were drinking clean water!

see the white tail? :))

A few moments later I find myself at Georgiadis Park!

Georgiadis Park is considered a green oasis in the heart of Heraklion, Crete and it was a nice break during a hot time in the day. It is located near Eleftherias Square and close to a part of the Venetian Walls. Georgiadis park is one of the largest green spaces within the city .

I liked all the trees and plants, but I especially the purple colored trees! Look at them!

Established in the 1930s and named after Mayor Minas Georgiadis, who was executed during World War II for his resistance activities, the park features a statue in his honor at its entrance.

The park was renovated in 2020 and has evolved to a vibrant community. It has a café-bar, a playground, an open air library, washroom facilities, and a small herbs garden. During the summer time, you may also find various cultural events and festivals during the summer.

When I have some time, I enjoy sitting on a bench and photographing the people walking by.

Further away, I find myself at Eleftherias (Freedom) Square. This square is nothing but free ... It has been undergoing renovation all the time, and it always looks full of cement.

This statue is of the unknown soldier, and on the right you see the Crete Region building at the end.

I walked towards Pediados Street and tried to see if I could make an artistic photo of the buildings around me.

Old blends with new with a strange outcome.

Just a few steps after that, I see the Video Games Museum!!
This is a brand new museum in the city, and it is my to-go very very soon!
I will let you know :)

Right opposite, guess what I saw!
A cat!

One of the houses that really make my heart ache. There are many houses that are abandoned. They do give a special flair to the city, but also a sense of old, of abandonment and about sadness for all missed lives there..

A nice street art, I think it is new because I had not seen it.

It reads a quote by our local author, Nikos Kazantzakis

Μην αφήσεις τίποτα για το θάνατο, παρά ένα καμμένο κάστρο
Leave nothing for death, but a burnt castle

Which means .. live your life!

A beautiful (but sad) part of another abandoned house

Down the road a lovely house with a very large bougainvillea in full bloom, and you can never believe what that is on the left.

The entrance to an old Venetian Tunnel called (Πύλη Βιτούρι)

As I was walking, I took a few details that I liked the color.
I tried to do some photo editing, but I did not succeed in every thing.

This is where the detail came from:

I needed to go back to Georgiadis Park and this is something else that I noticed...

Wooden face sculptures on some trees.

Scary?

Lets take a look at some more details on the road of Democratis

Another house that was empty :(

An old Venetian coat of arms that unfortunately is not preserved as it should :(

It is located at the entrance or exit, depends on where you are of Georgiadis Park

Part of Eleftherias Square

Street art outside of Georgiadis Park

This little detail was in one of the stores I visited to get some water, nice - isnt it?

And finally, two opposite parts of the same street.

I hope you enjoyed my little walk.
To the next one, stay safe!