the lake of Voulismeni from above within the city of Agios Nicolaos

Written by: Mr. Routaki,  November ’08

Photos in co-op with Routaki routes

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Agios Nicolaos the capital of the Lassithi prefecture.

The city of Agios Nicolaos is the capital of the prefecture Lassithi and has about 8500 inhabitants. The touristic attraction of the city is the former lake of Voulismeni in the heart of the city surrounded by many terraces. The lake is 64 metres deep and is also called ‘the lake without a bottom’. It was created from a crater and nowadays has a connection with the sea, which causes the water to be half fresh and half salt.

In the late antiquities this piece of coast line was already used as a harbour for the nearby Dorian city Lato.

The history of Agios Nicolaos.

During the fourth crusade, also called the ‘trading crusade’, that took place between 1202 and 1204 AD, the notorious pirate Pescatore established the ‘Castello de Mirabello’ on a hillside East of the present city centre. He did this in the name of Genua, that were in battle with the Venetians during this crusade. Eventually they lost and the Venetians governed the island for another four and half centuries after. During this period the island was called Candia, not Crete.

In 1645 the castle was conquered, because of betrayal, by the Turks but the Venetians fought wilfully and restored control over the castle that same year. To prevent the Turks from conquering the castle again the Venetians took drastic measures and simply took their own castle down. The name of the castle is still intact. It is used to name the bay in which the city is situated.

 

 

large marina with sailing yachts on the seaside of Agios Nicolaos
narrow streets with a view on the seaside
also at night a lively city - Agios Nikolaos
nice sculpture around the corner of the Marina in Agios

In the previous century people from the region of Sfakia, in the South of Crete, settled around the lake of Voulismeni. The village which was established was named after the nearby Saint Nicolas church and this is where the name ‘Agios Nicolaos’ comes from. The holy Nicolaos is also the patron saint of seamen.

 

a lot of pictures are taken on top of the Voulismeni lake

Agios Nicolaos as lively tourist centre.

Till late 20th century Agios Nicolaos remained a village of several 1.000 inhabitants. After 1960, mainly influenced by tourism it grew in a rapid pace, to become the lively city it is today. In peak season it is very hard to imagine that the number of inhabitants is still approximately 10.000 people.

 

What also may interest you:

 

free guided tour in the Vassilakis olive factory

You can visit Neapoli and follow the guided tour in the Vassilakis estate, about the olive oil production.

entrance of the Aquarium

Visit the huge CretAquarium on the former American base of Gournes during.

visit the vineyards around Dafnes

Learn about the wine production in the wine museum near Peza, while driving with Mr.Routaki.