The Stone Garages of Heraklion
In the heart of Heraklion’s old harbor stand the weathered arches of the Neoria—centuries-old “garages” for Venetian galleys. These massive, vaulted structures once echoed with the sounds of hammers and timber, serving as the naval lifeline of a Mediterranean empire.
Built between the 15th and 17th centuries during Venetian rule over Crete, Neoria (from the Greek neōrion, meaning dockyard) were part of an extensive shipbuilding complex. They were divided into three arsenals: the Arsenali Antichi, Vechi, and Nuovi—each one a testament to the Republic’s maritime ambition. Each vaulted hall, long and tall, was designed to house a single galley, offering shelter from the wind and salt, and space for vital repairs.
Back then, Heraklion—then called Candia—was one of Venice’s most fortified and valuable outposts. Ships patrolling the eastern Mediterranean relied on these sheds for maintenance and refitting. The sea lapped just outside their arched entrances, allowing vessels to be hauled in and out with ease.
Today, only five Neoria survive, their stone ribs rising silently beside the modern harbor. Most were lost in the 20th century, sacrificed to make way for a seaside road. Yet the survivors remain, echoing a time when Heraklion was a naval stronghold. Some are now used for exhibitions and cultural events, their interiors lit by modern spotlights but shaped by centuries of history.
As you walk beside them, with the Koules Fortress in view and the scent of salt on the breeze, it’s easy to imagine the clamor of sailors, the creak of timbers, and the watchful eyes of shipwrights. Neoria may no longer shelter galleys, but they still hold the spirit of the sea.
