Venetian Arsenals (Arsenali)

The Venetian Arsenals, known in Greek as the Neorion, are a row of vaulted stone shipyards on the Old Venetian Harbour of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, a short walk west of the Koules fortress. Built in the 16th and 17th centuries when the city was the Venetian stronghold of Candia, they were used to build, repair and store galleys of the Venetian fleet. The long, parallel arched bays opened directly onto the water, so ships could be hauled in and out, and several of the original arches survive along the harbour. Some bays have been restored, and the building's interior is used from time to time for exhibitions and cultural events, so access depends on what is on and on restoration work. Most visitors see the Arsenals from the harbour walkway, where the thick stone arches and the line of the old quay are easy to appreciate in a visit of 15 to 30 minutes. The best photograph is from the quay in the late afternoon, with the arches in warm light, or at sunset with fishing boats in the harbour. Early morning is quiet, while evenings bring walkers and cafe visitors along the waterfront. Visitors can combine the Arsenals with the Koules fortress at the end of the breakwater, the fish tavernas along the harbour and the old town streets behind. Entry to the exterior is free and always possible. Since the harbour is exposed, wind can be strong in winter and heat strong in summer, so a hat or jacket depending on the season is useful. A short plaque and the visible ruins give a sense of the scale of Venetian naval engineering on the island, and the area is easy to reach on foot from Lions Square in about 10 minutes.