Plateia Kornarou lies at the top of the market in Heraklion City, with a lovely Venetian fountain of its own, the Bembo Fountain, probably the oldest, and it bears some very good decoration, although it has ceased to fount. The Bembo Fountain was built in 1588 by Venetian architect Zuanne Bembo.

It is decorated with columns, Venetian family coats-of-arms and a headless male statue, brought here from Ierapetra. At one time, people believed that the statue had supernatural powers and, every May, religious rituals were organised in its honour.

The atmospheric kafeneio alongside it, still serving Greek coffee and aperitifs from an antique stone pavillion at its centre, is a great reminder of Crete's Turkish past. The Plateia itself is named after Vitsenzos Kornaros (1553 to approx.1614), composer of the epic poem Erotokritos, which is regularly performed around Crete, and still evokes pride in every Cretan heart. From here, it is close to Agios Minas Cathedral or, in the opposite direction, Freedom Square.

From the top of the Market, turn right, and find the large square of Saint Katherine in which stands the dominating form of the cathedral.

Bembo Fountain and Plateia Kornarou Agora, the Market Street in Heraklion City

Heraklion Municipality - More photos and more info

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Gouves Beach in Heraklion, north Crete

Almirida Beach in Rethimno, Crete

Kolokitha or Kolokytha beach in Elounda

Tobrouk or Tombrouk Beach by Karteros area, Heraklion Crete

Anissaras Beaches in Heraklion, north Crete

Voulisma Beach, Agios Nikolaos, east Crete

Psaromoura beach in Agia Pelagia, Heraklion, Crete

Sissi Beach, Mirambelo east Crete

Avlaki Sissi Beach, Mirambelo east Crete

Dreros Beach, Plaka, Agios Nikolaos, east Crete

Istron Bay Beach, Agios Nikolaos, east Crete

Pera Galini Beach in Rethimno, Crete

Boufos Beach by Sissi , Mirambelo east Crete

Episkopi Beach in Georgioupolis in Rethimno, west Crete

Vathi Beach, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, east Crete

Kali Limenes Village in South Crete, Heraklion

Anogia or Anogeia, Rethimno, Central Crete

Kokkinos Pirgos coastal village by South Crete - Mesara

Tylissos or Tilisos in Heraklion, Central Crete

Arkalochori in Heraklion, Central Crete

Malia in Heraklion, Central Crete

Matala, south Crete. Holidays in Crete

Panormo Village and Beach, Rethimno, Central Crete

Tsoutsouros in Heraklion, South Central Crete

Perama in Geropotamos Rethimno, Central Crete

Iraklio: Crete’s beating heart

Chersonisos in Heraklion, Central Crete

Tris Ekklisies Village in South Crete, Heraklion

Stalis or Stalida by Malia in Heraklion, Central Crete

Keratokambos village by South Crete, Heraklion

Kounaviano gorge in Heraklion Crete

Martsalo Gorge, Matala

Arvi Gorge in south Crete Heraklion

Aposelemis gorge in Heraklion Crete

The gorge of Platania, Psiloritis mountain

Ambelos and Rosa Gorge in Gonies

Rouvas Gorge or Agios Nikolaos Gorge, Zaros

Kotsifou Gorge in Plakias, south Crete

Knosano gorge in Archanes Crete

Agios Fanourios gorge in Venerato

Selinari gorge in Heraklion Crete

Skaloti Gorge in Fragokastelo, South Crete

Keratokambos or Portela Gorge in south Crete Heraklion

Mintris gorge in Tsoutsouros Crete

Kissano Gorge in Rethimno, Central Crete

Oaxos archaeological site in Axos, Rethimno

Ancient Inatos, Tsoutsouros

Prinias ancient acropolis

Agia Triada archaeological site in Crete

Zominthos minoan settlement archaeological site in Anogia Crete

The Fortress Fortezza, Rethimno

Lappa archaeological site in Argiroupolis, Rethimno

Monastiraki minoan settlement archaeological site in south Crete

Eleftherna archaeological site in Rethimno Crete

Labyrinth: Knossos and History

Gortys – A City for the Ages

Underwater archaeology in Crete: Hunt for the ancient mariner

Agios Antonios chapel in Agiofarago gorge, South Crete

Smari Acropolis in Kastelli Heraklion

The Hermitages of Agios Efthimios and of Agios Methodios in Zaros - Nivritos

Museum of the Preveli Monastery

The Battle of Crete and National Resistance Museum

Archanes Archaeological museum

Archaeological Museum of Kissamos

Archaeological Museum in Sitia, East Crete Lasithi

The Gavalochori Folklore Museum

Folklore Museum in Istron, Agios Nikolaos, East Crete Lasithi

Historical and Folklore Museum of Archanes

Τhe Heraklion Museum of Visual Arts

The Archaeological Museum of Rethymno

Historical museum in Heraklion Crete

Hamezi or Chamezi in Sitia, Folklore museum - East Crete

Museum for the Akritans of Europe

Byzantine and Postbyzantine Collection of Chania

The Typography Museum of Crete in Chania