The historical heritage of the Region of Crete is found in numerous buildings and archaeological sites of great value and interest. Seismic safety is a fundamental requirement for the inhabitants who live there but also for the touristic sector.
As a second degree local administration body, its area of responsibility is
- the island of Crete (the largest and most populous island in Greece and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean)
- smaller islands such as Gavdos, Gavdopoula, Zeus, Chrissi, Koufonissi
- the Dionysades islands
The Region of Crete has four regional Units (Heraklion, Chania, Rethymnon, Lasithi), all based in historical buildings that were constructed in the previous century, mostly of masonry. They have undergone various uses in the past (Palace of the Local Prince, Courthouse etc) and reinforcements of various types.
Discover the Region of Crete buildings historical heritage
Heraklion prefecture building – City of Heraklion
Initially used for the army, St. George barracks, had been housing 700 soldiers. Afterwards, it was used for the public offices of the Heraklion Regional Governance. Built in the 16th century, it was destroyed from an earthquake and reconstructed in 1883. At first it was one single building and afterwards a cluster of three sections.
In the north entrance, there was the St. Francisco church doorway, which later was demolished for the construction of the Archeological Museum of Heraklion.
Lassithi prefecture building – Agios Nikolaos city
In 1206, Errico Pescatore, a pirate from Genova, built a fortress named “Mirabello”, on a hill with a breathtaking view of the prefecture of Ag. Nikolaos. Within the castle, there were salt warehouses, for the storage of Elounda’s precious mineral salt, maintaining the monopoly in the Mediterranean Sea. The castle went through several destructive phases caused by earthquake in 1303 and due to pirate intrusion in 1537, but it has been reconstructed, every time.Its final collapse took place in the 17th century A.D. from the Ottomans. The building has been repossessed from the Venetians, who didn’t manage to keep it and blew it up while leaving.
Rethymno prefecture building – City of Rethymno
The Rethymnon Perfecture Building was built in 1844. At first it was intended to be the headquarters and at the same time the medical center of the Turkish administration. The building is made of stone, and has a tile-roof. It is designed in 2 cross-cutting symmetrical axes and has a length of 52m and a width varying from 18-28m. Its total area is of 3.175 square meters.
The building had three entrances. Today the western one has being closed.
The construction is based on four Ionian rhythm columns, made of grey autochthonous marble. The same material is used in the central entrance, which has a semi-circle arc shape. The marbles protrude from the wall, with a morphology that refers to older venetian constructions, such as the Fortezza Gate and similar mansions of the city. That was the reason why the building was at first named “Marblegate” (“Marmaroporta”)
Chania prefecture building – City of Chania
The so called “Judicial Mansion” was built in the decade of 1890, with stone materials extracting from the region of St. Mathiew. The building has a rectangle shape with a special characteristic patio in the internal, with free passages from the central façade. The patio, with pine-plants is designed in 2 levels, a lower one, and two elevated on the left and on the right from the main entrance.
In 1902, after the establishment of the “Ministries of Crete”, the stairs have been marble plated. In 1936, after a destructive fire, it was reconstructed and a third floor was added. A second fire in July 1990, caused severe damages in the building.
It is worth mentioning, that right after the construction of the building, the first museo – archeological collection of Chania, was hosted there, with more than 1000 pieces. Unfortunately, the exhibits were totally destroyed during the first fire of 1934, along with the whole building.
