Crete Quiz 15 Questions to Test Your Knowledge!

Venetians captured Crete in 1204, during the Fourth Crusade. Candia is located in modern Heraklion. A lot of buildings in the center of the modern city are of Venetian architecture. The Town Hall is in the Venetian Loggia, near the Four Lions of the famous Morosini Fountain.

Domenicos Theotocopoulos was born in Fodele, a village near Iraklio in 1541. He was a well known painter in Crete and Italy, before he was moved to Spain, where most of his great works were created. He lived in Toledo, where he was nicknamed "El Greco" (The Greek), and died there, in 1614. "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz" is, perhaps, his best known painting.

The Minoan civilization, headed by King Minos, is the oldest civilization in Europe. They established the Linear A and B scripts, similar to hieroglyphics. The legendary "Phaistos Disk", written in Linear, is still disputed, making it one of the most famous mysteries of archaeology.

It is now located in the Archaeological Museum in Iraklio. The Minoan civilization was destroyed by a volcanic eruption on the island of Santorini around 1500 BC.

Vai Beach, Crete's "Palm Beach," stuns visitors with its towering palm forest, one of the largest natural one in Europe. This oasis offers golden sand, crystal-clear waters, and a relaxed vibe, perfect for soaking up the sun.

Mount Ida (Psiloritis) Crete's highest peak, is a majestic mountain reaching over 2,450 meters. Often snow-capped in winter (hence its name meaning "bare mountain"), it's part of the Ida Mountains range. Steeped in myth as the birthplace of Zeus, it's now a national park protecting unique wildlife.

Nikos Kazantzakis, was born in Myrtia, a village near Heraklion in 1883, and died in Freiburg, Germany, in 1957. He was wrote many novels and poems. The most famous, apart from "Zorba the Greek", are "The Odyssey: A Modern Sequel","Captain Michalis", "Last Temptation of Christ", "Report to Greco", "The Greek Passion" and "Saint Francis".

The International Airport of Heraklion is named after him.

Crete Have 3 Airports

Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" (HER)

Chania International Airport "Ioannis Daskalogiannis" (CHQ)

Sitia Public Airport (JSH)