25th of August Street, Heraklion

Once called "Odos Planis" or "Illusion Street," 25th of August Street earned its ironic moniker due to the striking Neoclassical buildings that captivate visitors as they approach from the harbor. The street is now a paved pedestrian thoroughfare, lined with banks, travel bureaus, and tourist shops housed within these historic structures.

As you embark on your walk along 25th of August Street, the church of Saint Titus, the Loggia, and the Basilica of St Mark stand as architectural gems, each contributing to the street's allure. The street serves as a visual feast, bearing witness to the city's resilience and transformation after the catastrophic events of 1898.

The street's historical roots trace back to the Arab period in the 9th or 10th century, and it has consistently served as Heraklion's main artery, connecting the town center to the harbor. During the Venetian era, it was known as Ruga Maistra (Main Street), and in Ottoman times, it took on the name Vezir Tsarsi (Vizier's Market) after the Vezir Mosque.

The modern nomenclature of 25th of August Street bears the weight of a tragic event. On the 25th of August 1898, during the feast of St Titus, a frenzied Muslim mob committed a heinous act, resulting in the loss of many lives, including 17 British soldiers and the British Consul Lysimachos Kalokairinos. This violent episode prompted the Great Powers to intervene, leading to the protection of the island and, eventually, the Union of Crete with Greece in 1913.