Venetian Fortress, Heraklion

This was an adults only trip (ie just us fifty-somethings, nothing sordid!). Only needed a morning as Heraklion was so close. But we fancied a walk around that attractive looking fortress that the Venetians built before being eventually ejected by the Ottoman Turks, by all accounts an altogether nastier set of conquerors who managed to turn the thriving trading area into subsistence farming.

Cut off from the sea by a busy main road now, one can see the Arsenali, the Venetian dockyards. One has to say that the Greeks are not great at making their heritage look attractive or enticing to visitors. Heraklion could do with tidying up.

The fortress has been the subject of recent restoration and so is well worth a visit.

 It no longer protects the town from marauding Turks, but rather hosts a marina.

We didn't make it to the fortress before Alison needed refreshments, so we stopped for a drink in the Marina bar

 It was a windy day. One could see why they built a breakwater.

Entry to the fortress was the princely sum of 2 euros. While not exactly holding a massive set of exhibits, there was certainly enough to make that seem extraordinary value. It would make a wonderful party venue, if you had a very big party.

A room contains the cargoes of a few wrecked boats

 And you can also go up onto the courtyard