Agios Nikolaos, with 9.500 inhabitants, is the capital of the Lassithi province of Crete. It is built around a picturesque lake at the north-western side of the Merabello bay, the biggest bay in Crete. The beauty here is endless with the seasons succeeding one another. The climate is unique: Dry, without humidity. The area is inhabited since antiquity.

Agios Nikolaos Today

Major administrative, cultural and communications center, Agios Nikolaos is one of the most developed tourist areas, not only in Crete but in Greece in general.

Having a valuable 30 year experience of organized tourism, its infrastructure matches that of any other European resort, for ideal and interesting vacation together with the traditional Cretan hospitality and the excellent climate.

Thanks to the beautiful coasts, the great sights and the cosmopolitan life, this live city hosts every year thousands of visitors without losing one bit of its tranquillity and traditional hospitality. The modern city of Agios Nikolaos became indernationally well-known during the 60's, "discovered" by famous cinema directors (Jules Dassin, Walt Disney etc.), BBC producers and many others. It was then, that the rapid tourist development of the area started. Today, Agios Nikolaos is an international, cosmopolitan tourist resort, able to accommodate, effectively and efficiently, thousands of visitors each year.

A walk around

The shopping area of Agios Nikolaos is always a pleasure. You can find everything! There are many tourist shops, full of excellent articles of traditional Cretan art, minoan copies and copies from the Popular Art museum, etc. One can also visit fine art galleries and woven handicrafts, jewellery shops, international bookstores, kiosks with greek and foreign press, cafeterias as well as traditional coffee shops, tavernas and restaurants with an inexhaustible assortment of snacks and specialities of greek and Cretan cooking, accompanied with all sorts of wines or the local strong "raki". At night, there are countless chances for fun at the numerous night clubs and discos, or at selected clubs with traditional Cretan dances, songs and mandinades or the latest hits of the greek and international charts.

History

The city of Agios Nikolaos is built on the location of the ancient "Lato pros Kamara - port of Lato Etera". Both towns formed one administrative unit, which flourished during the 3rd century. Both worshipped goddess Elithyeia (goddess of childbirth) and they had the same coins - with Elithyeia or Artemis (Diana) on one side and Hermes Lation on the other - as well as their own economy.

The Latians, contrary to other towns, which were almost constantly in war with other cities, were in good terms with their adjoining cities of Elounda, Driros, Milatos and Minoa. There is not enough reference about the Byzantine period. During the Venetian occupation (1204-1669) Genoan pirates built a castle on top of the Kefali hill (prefecture hill), which was renamed by the Venetians to Merabello and gave its name to the whole region. The castle has been destroyed by the earthquakes and burnt during the pirate raids.

The city of Agios Nikolaos has been thrust aside during the years of the Turkish occupation and was reinhabited in the 1860's by fugitives from Sfakia, from Kritsa and other Cretans. In 1881 it was a small picturesque village of few people and in 1900 had 500 inhabitants. However, in 1905, it became the capital of the province. Agios Nikolaos was named after the small Byzantine church of Saint Nicholaos, which is located next to the "Minos Palace" hotel. The church is carefully preserved.

The Archaeological Museum. The museum is situated on K.Paleologou St. , almost 400m away from the bridge and houses real treasures of the Minoan and the other periods of the history of eastern Crete.

The Popular Art Museum. Located next to the bridge at the beginning of K. Paleologou St., houses marvellous objects of the popular artcraft of the area.

Cultural activities

Every summer, the Municipal Cultural Center schedules a series of events under the general title of "LATO" These events feature Cretan, Greek and foreign groups, with traditional or contemporary repertoire. Drama performances, art exhibitions, swimming competitions and other events also take place. Every two years, the "Nautical Week"is celebrated with swimming competitions, water sports events and a fire works display. The night of the "Anastassi" (Christ's Resurrection) is the most impressive celebration as thousands of people, holding candlelit with the Holly Light, gather around the lake for the burning of Judas, scores of crackers pierce the night's silence, creating a unique, emotionally charged atmosphere.

Another lively feast-with an open air market and authentic traditional Cretan festivities-takes place at Analipsi of Almyros on the 50th day after Easter. Particularly important is the celebration of the name day of the city's patron, Saint Nikolas,on December 6. The celebration of the New Year's day is another impressive event at Agios Nikolaos. Two "kaikis" (local fishing boats) are in the port, one leaving (standing for the year ending) and the other coming in, (standing for the beginning year). Sanda Claus disembarks triumphantly, welcomed by the city officials, the municipal band and the cheering crowds and then proceeds to the main town square to give out presents to jubilant children.

Archaeological Museum

Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos was founded in 1970 in order to house the numerous new archaeological finds from eastern Crete, which until then, were housed in the Museum of Herakleion.

Folklore Museum

The Folk Art Museum of Agios Nikolaos, in collaboration with the "Cultural Society of Eastern Crete", founded in 1978. All the original and important material was generously offered by the Touring Club of Agios Nikolaos. Since then more objects have been added to the collection.

A visit to the Folk Art Museum will help you to become familiar with the sort of work and activities the people of this area had in the old days. The Museum houses a rich and beautiful collection of hundreds of genuine samples of Cretan popular art and mainly hand woven and embroidered pieces, some of which are unique.

There are some, interesting Byzantine icons to be seen, a complete series of wooden carved small objects, Cretan costumes, household articles, handicrafts and some old manuscripts and books.

The Museum houses also two private collections kindly offered by two well known people of this area (an example for others to follow)

The Museum is open daily except Saturday from 09.30 to 13.30 and 17.00 to 21.00

Location: Oposite the bridge, next to the Tourist Information Office

Tel.: ++30-841-2509 3

Transportation

Agios Nikolaos is served by the airport of Heraklion which is less than an hour away , by car. The very good road network allows easy access to other towns and villages of the area as well as the rest of Crete.

Agios Nikolaos has direct link by boat with Piraeus, Sitia, Milos, Santorini, Karpathos, Kassos, Kos, Rhodos, etc. Scheduled bus service to Heraklio -Ierapetra - Sitia - and many villages, is frequent and efficient. There are also many agencies for car or motorcycle renting.