Wahrzeichen & Altstadtviertel Geheimtipp

Aqueduct of Agia Irini

Heraklion, Heraklion · Free

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About

A 19th century aqueduct near Knossos.

The aqueduct of Agia Irini lies near Knossos, south of Heraklion. It was built in the 19th century, during the Egyptian occupation of Crete, to bring water to the city.

The stone arches are well preserved and make a nice photo stop on the way to Knossos.

The aqueduct was built in the 1830s, during the Egyptian period, to bring water from the springs of Mount Giouchtas to Heraklion. Its stone arches cross a small valley close to the road to Knossos and Archanes. It's an easy photo stop on the way, especially in the late afternoon light.

Heraklion is the capital of Crete and its biggest city, with a busy port, the island's main airport and a lively old town inside massive Venetian walls. The Archaeological Museum and Knossos make it the centre of Minoan Crete, and the city's markets, cafes and restaurants are some of the best on the island. Around the city, the coast has long sandy beaches like Ammoudara and Karteros, and the wine villages of Archanes and Peza are a short drive south.

Around Heraklion

Nearest town: Heraklion, about 8 km by road
Nearest airport: Heraklion airport (HER), about 8 km by road

Heraklion is the heart of Minoan Crete and the island’s busiest region. Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum are the two places almost everyone visits, and they work well together on one day. In the south, the wide Messara plain holds the palace of Phaistos, the Roman ruins of Gortyna and the famous caves above the bay of Matala. More about Heraklion