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The Old Harbour started operating during the Byzantine Period, sometime in the 10th century. However, it only truly flourished in the Venetian Period, particularly from the 14th century on, after the siltation problem was solved, a solution that still holds today. Following the 1571 siege by the Ottomans, in 1572 the Venetians started to expand and reinforce the existing harbour. The lighthouse was built during the Ottoman occupation, in the late 17th century. Today it's mainly fishing boats and yachts that dock here. Back to Rethymnon

Also known as the Venetian Arsenal, the Venetian Shipyards were an ambitious military project developed in four stages between the 15th and 17th centuries. A total of 19 shipyards were built, grouped in three complexes: the Antichi Arsenal, the Vechi Arsenal and the Nuovi Arsenal. In the 17th century, when Heraklion harbour took its final form, the arsenal was able to dock 50 galleys at a time. The shipyards were used for the construction and repair of ships of the at the time mighty fleet of the Republic of Venice. In the 1930s a significant part of the arsenal was destroyed to give way to the new harbour. Today only six shipyards, part of the Vechi and Nuovi arsenals, remain. Entrance free Heraklion