greek hotels - Heraklion County History The first signs of habitation of the county date from the Neolithic Period, especially on the southern coast. The area reached its apex in the Bronze Age. This is the time of the Minoan civilisation. The great palaces of Knossos and Phestos are built, and cities are created around them, while commerce and shipping flourish. The Minoan centres were destroyed in the 15th century BC by the explosion of the Thera volcano. Activity in the area continued, but at a slower pace. The Dorians invaded the area in the I I th century BC, and were assimilated with the locals. After the 6th century BC the decline became more apparent, and the county does not appear to have flourished culturally. In 69 BC, it became part of the Roman province, and passed into the hands of the Byzantine Empire in 395. After the fall of Constantinople, it was handed over to the Venetians. At that time, the entire county flourished both financially and culturally. In 1669, it was taken over by the Turks, whose heavy taxation and constant humiliation of the Christians imposed inhuman living conditions on the Cretans. In 19 13, after many years of fighting and numerous revolutions, led by Eleftherios Venizelos, freedom became reality.

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The first signs of habitation of the county date from the Neolithic Period, especially on the southern coast. The area reached its apex in the Bronze Age. This is the time of the Minoan civilisation. The great palaces of Knossos and Phestos are built, and cities are created around them, while commerce and shipping flourish. The Minoan centres were destroyed in the 15th century BC by the explosion of the Thera volcano. Activity in the area continued, but at a slower pace. The Dorians invaded the area in the I I th century BC, and were assimilated with the locals. After the 6th century BC the decline became more apparent, and the county does not appear to have flourished culturally. In 69 BC, it became part of the Roman province, and passed into the hands of the Byzantine Empire in 395. After the fall of Constantinople, it was handed over to the Venetians. At that time, the entire county flourished both financially and culturally. In 1669, it was taken over by the Turks, whose heavy taxation and constant humiliation of the Christians imposed inhuman living conditions on the Cretans. In 19 13, after many years of fighting and numerous revolutions, led by Eleftherios Venizelos, freedom became reality.