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Heraklion (Iráklion, Candia, Megalo Kastron) Lighthouse

🇬🇷Heraklion Municipal Unit, GROperational

Location & Light Range

About Heraklion (Iráklion, Candia, Megalo Kastron) Lighthouse

The Heraklion Lighthouse was built in 1864 from stone as a cylindrical tower, standing 12 meters tall. It is mounted at the northeast corner of a 16th-century Venetian fortress, forming an octagonal structure topped with a lantern and gallery. This lighthouse is situated on the north breakwater mole of Heraklion, Crete, overlooking the city's harbor. It has been inactive for many years and was truncated to a height of approximately 6 meters. The nearest port is Heraklion, 0.9 kilometers away.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is significant for understanding the maritime history of Heraklion, a port active since Venetian times. Its integration into the 16th-century Koules fortress underscores the harbor's historical strategic importance.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Material
stone

Structure: octagonal cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, mounted at the northeast corner of a 16th century Venetian fortress

Location

City
Heraklion Municipal Unit
Country
🇬🇷Greece
Region
Region of Crete
Sea Region
north breakwater mole of Heraklion, Crete, dominating the harbor of the city
Latitude
35.3447°
Longitude
25.1372°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Construction & History

Year Built
1864

Significant events: Inactive for many years, truncated to a height of about 6 m

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Heraklion(0.9 km)
ARLHS No.
CRE-008
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which ports and harbors does Heraklion (Iráklion, Candia, Megalo Kastron) Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Heraklion (Iráklion, Candia, Megalo Kastron) Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Iraklion (Heraklion) at 0.5 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include Linoperamata Hrakliou (4.3 NM W), MALIA (16.7 NM E), Agia Galini (27.2 NM SW), Kalilimenes (29.8 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Heraklion (Iráklion, Candia, Megalo Kastron) Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Heraklion (Iráklion, Candia, Megalo Kastron) Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near Heraklion (Iráklion, Candia, Megalo Kastron) Lighthouse?+
Heraklion (Iráklion, Candia, Megalo Kastron) Lighthouse is located within the Mediterranean East-West corridor — a major trade route spanning the Mediterranean from Gibraltar to the Suez Canal. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Heraklion (Iráklion, Candia, Megalo Kastron) Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Heraklion (Iráklion, Candia, Megalo Kastron) Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.