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Agios Nikolaos
Eastern Crete The Town of Agios
Nikolaos in the eastern part of Crete is probably the most
cosmopolitan town on the island. It was the first area that
became a popular tourist destination for holiday makers from all
over the world. The more popular name for the town has for years
been "Ag'nik"
This charming town is especially characterized by the lake in
the central part of the harbour area surrounded by restaurants,
cafés and tavernas. Along the sides of the lake small
characteristic fishing boats add to the charming atmosphere. The
tavernas and restaurants in Ag'nik mostly offer extensive menus
with Greek specialities, fresh fish and cosmopolitan dishes.
Here you can also get yourself a steak cooked exactly as you like
it. If you want to go shopping, the narrow streets in the old
part of town offers shops and boutiques for shoes, jewellery, pottery, fashion,
designer clothes, souvenirs and lots more. This is a town worth
visiting.
Amazing Crete Travel
Accommodations in Agios Nikolaos -
Ferie boliger i Agios Nikolaos
Facts about Agios Nikolaos
The sea in Agios Nikolaos is superb and the surrounding area of
the city is noted for its sandy beaches and beautiful bays.
The landmark of the city is a small lake, known as "Voulismeni"
that is located in the centre of the city, at the foot of the
cliffs. Its shape is circular with a diameter of 137m.
According to the mythology, the goddess
Athena
used to take her bath in this lake. The depth of the lake is 64
m and was connected to the sea only recently, with a canal
opened at 1870.
It is an especially picturesque site with many open-air cafes
and restaurants along the bank. Small boats leave the harbour to
visit the Venetian fortress of Spinaloga, near Elouda.
Every summer the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos organizes
cultural events, music, dancing, theatrical
performances, exhibitions and shows. Also, during the Naval week,
artistically swimming, water skiing, wind-surfing contests are
organized.
Agios Nikolaos also possesses the second finest Archaeological
Museum in Crete, where splendid archaeological findings from
throughout the Prefecture of Lasithi are exhibited.
History
The site where the town is built today used to be the
ancient "Lato pros Kamares", which was the harbour of
the
"Lato Etera",
an important and powerful city located near the village of
"Kritsa". During the Roman and the first Byzantine period it also served as a
harbour.
During the Venetian occupation, the Venetians built the fortress
Mirabello (meaning beautiful view), on the site where the
Prefecture building stands today, sadly there is nothing left of the fortress
today, but it gave its name to the Prefecture and to the bay of
"Mirabello".
When the Venetians built another port in the area of Elouda some
10 kms to the north named
"Porto di San Nicolo",
the importance of the harbour of Agios Nikolaos became
important.
The city is named after the small Byzantine church of Agios
Nikolaos, located on the peninsula, the church has fine frescoes
from the 8th, 10th and 11th century.
Facilities
Agios Nikolaos offers a variety of tourist
accommodation, some of the oldest hotels
are located in Eleftheria square, but there are many new fine
hotels not only in the town, but all along the coast. There are
also many cafes, restaurants, bars and shops.
Agios Nikolaos,
capital of the Prefecture of Lasithi, is one of the most highly
developed tourist towns in Greece.
It lies along the west of the
Mirabello bay.
The main road axis of the island passes right outside the city
limits , connecting it with Iraklion
(76 km) to the west, Sitia
to the east (70 km) and Ierapetra to the south (36 km).
Agios Nikolaos is the administrative, communications, cultural
and commercial centre of the Prefecture, with approximately 8500
inhabitants.
The climate in the area is mild with extremely low humidity. It
is an ideal place to relax and recover one's energy. Text by
Interkriti.
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