Saint George Gate description and photos - Greece: Heraklion (Crete) (Topic)

Saint George Gate description and photos - Greece: Heraklion (Crete). Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Saint George Gate.

Photo and description

The St. George's Gate is located on the southeast side of Eleftheria Square (the main square of the city), not far from the Archaeological Museum. For many decades, until recently, they were hidden under the Eleftheria square. The gate has only recently been restored and opened.

The St. George's Gate was built in 1565 and is part of the Venetian wall, built to protect the city from outside invasion, and was used as a passage between the city and the port. Stone steps lead down to a gallery with a domed roof and further to the lower exit beyond the wall of ancient Heraklion. This is all that remains today from an important medieval entrance to the city.

The gate was also known as the "Lazaretto Gate", as they led to the House of Lazarus, a hospital for infectious patients on the east coast outside the walls of Heraklion. The city was struck by the plague several times, the most powerful outbreak was in 1591-1593.

The Gate of St. George is a monumental structure with an original facade. On the city wall near the gate is a memorial plaque from 1565, decorated with the coats of arms and initials of the leading Venetian families of the time. A relief medallion depicting St. George on horseback was installed high above the gate. The majestic facade was destroyed in 1917, and the relief depicting St. George is preserved today in the Historical Museum of Crete.

Today, St. George's Gate Gallery is often used for art exhibitions and other cultural events.

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Topic: Saint George Gate description and photos - Greece: Heraklion (Crete).