What is most visible in most Greek cities is the heritage of Byzantium. It's present in churches, most obviously but in ruins also.

Here we see part of the wall that used to surround the city.

A solidus of Justinian II, dated to 705-711 CE.

But the history of the city can be traced by to Minoan times.

 

For a time Crete was a semi-independent part of the Ottoman empire, then it was an actual country before becoming part of Greece. The two stamps on the left are from independent Crete. The third reflects French occupation and the final one was issued by a rebel movement impatient with the delays in joining Greece. (from my collection)

Jumping way ahead, it was the site of a fierce battle in WWII. Civilians took up farm tools to help the outmanned British defenders. But, the allied effort was badly thought out and badly led and Crete fell to the Nazis. A lively resistance movement existed on the island until liberation.

Last modified 6/22/25, original content © 2025 John P. Nordin