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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 (66 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 center 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. Access There is frequent bus service from Iraklion. There are boat connections all year round from the port of Agios Nikolaos to Piraeus . During the summer there are also connections with the islands of Cyclades and with the islands of Kassos, Karpathos, Kos . Tours to Santorini are also organized during the summer.
Agios Nikolaos does not have an airport but the city is served by the airports of Iraklion and Sitia. Sights 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 center 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 harbor to visit the Venetian fortress of Spinaloga, near Elouda .
Every summer the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos organizes cultural events, music and dance events, theatrical performances, exhibitions, shows. Also, during the Naval week, artistical swimming, water skiing, wind-surfing contests are organized.
The "Goddess of Myrto" |
Agios Nikolaos also possesses the second finest Archaeological Museum in Crete, where splendid archaeological findings from throughout the Prefecture of Lasithi are exhibited.
History In the site where the town is built today, used to be the ancient "Lato pros Kamares" , which was the harbor of "Lato Etera" , an important and powerful city located near the village of Kritsa . In the Roman and the first Byzantine period it also served as a harbor.
During the Venetian occupation, the Venetians built the fortress Mirabello (meaning beautiful view), in the site where the Prefecture building stands today. Nothing of the fortress is saved today, but it gave its name to the Prefecture and to the bay, that is called Mirabello.
The tower of Mirabello-Old gravur |
When the Venetians built another port in the area of Elouda in the northwest, named "Porto di San Nicolo" , the importance of the harbor of Agios Nikolaos lessened.
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 has numerous and high-quality tourist accommodation of all types and class. 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.
Interesting websites: www.aghiosnikolaos.gr |
