Rocca a Mare Fortress — Attraction in Municipality of Heraklion

Commonly known as Koules, is a prominent historical landmark situated at the entrance of Heraklion’s old port in Crete. Constructed by the Republic of Venice between 1523 and 1540, the fortress was designed to protect the harbor and the city from potential naval threats.

The fortress is well-preserved and offers visitors a glimpse into its storied past. Inside, there are 26 rooms that historically served various purposes, including storage for provisions and ammunition, as well as prison cells. The upper floor features a large courtyard surrounded by crenellations, which once housed soldiers’ barracks, officers’ quarters, a bakery, a mill, and a small church.

One of the notable exhibits within the fortress includes findings from Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s 1976 underwater expedition to the nearby Dia islet, providing insights into the region’s maritime history.

Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the harbor and the city from the fortress’s ramparts, making it a popular spot for photography and sightseeing. The fortress also hosts cultural events and exhibitions throughout the year, adding to its appeal as a cultural venue.

The fortress is open to the public daily, with operating hours typically from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission fees are around €10 for adults, with reduced rates available.

Overall, the Rocca a Mare Fortress offers a compelling blend of historical significance and scenic beauty, making it a worthwhile visit for those interested in...

Two fortresses were built; in different times the current Koules, which dominates the edge of the harbor of Heraklion, and a smaller one just opposite of it, which was demolished in the early 20th century to improve the operation of the port. The small fortress built by the Venetians, for supplemental defense of Candia, was named “Rocca al Mare” (Sea Fortress). After the invention of gunpowder, the Venetians decided to create a larger building that could meet their needs. The building had two floors, with 26 rooms for various uses, including prisons. In 1462, the Venetian Senate approved a programme to improve the fortifications of Candia. Eventually, the Byzantine tower was demolished in 1523, and the Castello a Mare began to be built instead. Old ships were filled with stone, and were sunk to form a breakwater and increase the area of the platform on which the fortress was built. The fortress was completed in 1540. The Turks, who occupied the island in 1669 renamed it ‘Koules’ and decided to continue its construction.

In 1630, the fort was armed with 18 cannons on the ground floor, and 25 cannons on the pathway leading to the roof. It is now preserved in a very good condition and is used for...

Really nice and worth a visit. Just a few fyi points.

The closing times were listed as open till 15.30, but Google has them listed at 18.00. Please double check times as they seem to change (maybe due to the season, I'm not sure).

Disabled access/lift - doesn't exist. There are many stairs and although I didn't need a lift, my mother did. I think it's best to ask at the box office before paying for a ticket (but I really don't see how you'd get a straight yes/no we don't have a lift answer). It's not a language barrier issue, but it's just getting the right info out that seems to be the problem.

Toilets - were horrendous, again it only affected my mother. No toilet paper, no running water and toilets weren't cleaned and no disabled toilet (out of order).

All in all, I liked it but if you are a wheelchair please refrain from coming out of disappointment. I think having a lift in this very old building is not going to happen (or not going to happen for a very long time). But also I think that the attraction shouldn't be advertising disabled accessibility especially for vulnerable people.

For €2 it absolutely worth a visit if...