Agios Nikolaos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Agios Nikolaos
Άγιος Νικόλαος
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Agios Nikolaos' promenade
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 Agios Nikolaos
Location in Greece
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| Country | Greece | ||
| Administrative region | Crete | ||
| Regional unit | Lasithi | ||
| Area | |||
| • Municipality | 511.7 km2 (197.6 sq mi) | ||
| • Municipal unit | 317.8 km2 (122.7 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 21 m (69 ft) | ||
| Population
(2011)
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| • Municipality | 27,074 | ||
| • Municipality density | 52.910/km2 (137.036/sq mi) | ||
| • Municipal unit | 20,679 | ||
| • Municipal unit density | 65.069/km2 (168.529/sq mi) | ||
| Community | |||
| • Population | 12,638 (2011) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) | ||
| Postal code |
721 00
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| Area code(s) | 28410 | ||
| Vehicle registration | ΑΝ | ||
| Website | www.dimosagn.gr | ||
Agios Nikolaos (also spelled Aghios Nikolaos) is a beautiful coastal town in Greece. It's located on the large island of Crete. This town is east of Heraklion, which is the capital city of Crete. It's also north of Ierapetra and west of Sitia.
In 2011, the area around Agios Nikolaos had about 27,074 people living there. The town itself is built partly on the old ruins of an ancient city called Lato pros Kamara.
Contents
Exploring Agios Nikolaos' Past
Agios Nikolaos was first settled a very long time ago, during the late Bronze Age. People from an ancient city called Lato moved here. They chose this spot because it was easier to reach the harbor. Before, they lived in a hillfort for safety, but later, access to the sea became more important.
The name Agios Nikolaos means Saint Nicholas. This saint is very important in Greece and Cyprus. He is known as the patron saint of sailors. That's why you'll find many places named Agios Nikolaos in Greece.
Uncovering Ancient Secrets: Archaeology
Near the town, there's an interesting archaeological site called ancient Priniatikos Pyrgos. People first lived here around 3000 BC, which is about 5,000 years ago! This place was used throughout the Minoan Bronze Age, and even during the later Greek and Roman times. This means people lived and worked here for an amazing 4,000 years. Since 2007, experts from around the world have been digging at Priniatikos Pyrgos to learn more about its past.
Agios Nikolaos Today
How the Municipality is Organized
The municipality of Agios Nikolaos was created in 2011. It brought together three smaller areas:
- Agios Nikolaos
- Neapoli
- Vrachasi
The total area of the municipality is about 511.7 square kilometers. The main part, the municipal unit of Agios Nikolaos, covers about 317.8 square kilometers.
Getting Around: Transportation
It's easy to get to Agios Nikolaos from other parts of Europe. Many people fly into Heraklion International Airport, which is about 64 kilometers away. From Heraklion, you can also take a ferry. Another option is to fly into Sitia airport or use its harbor, which is about 67 kilometers away.
Agios Nikolaos also has a part of a Technological Educational Institute (TEI). This school offers courses related to tourism, which is a big part of the town's economy.
Fun Things to Do: Culture and Tourism
Agios Nikolaos is famous as a tourist town. It's a central spot for visitors exploring the many small villages and farms in the Lassithi area. Some popular attractions include:
- The small, beautiful lagoon called Lake Voulismeni.
- The nice beaches right in town.
- The tiny island of Agioi Pantes.
- The local archaeological museum, where you can see ancient artifacts.
- The "Iris" exhibition, which shows off local plants and flowers.
- Many local fairs and festivals.
Just a short ferry ride from Agios Nikolaos is the island of Spinalonga. This island has an old Venetian fortress. In the early 1900s, it became a colony for people with leprosy.
Most tourists visiting Agios Nikolaos come from Western Europe. Many Greek tourists visit in mid-August. In recent years, more visitors from Russia have also come to East Crete. The lagoon in town has a small park with walking paths, traditional fishing boats, and many cafes where you can relax.
Agios Nikolaos became well-known around the world in the 1960s. Famous movie directors like Jules Dassin and Walt Disney, along with BBC producers, "discovered" it. This led to the area quickly becoming a popular tourist spot. Several movies and TV shows were filmed here, including He Who Must Die, The Moon-Spinners, and the TV series The Lotus Eaters. The short story Not After Midnight by Daphne du Maurier was also set in and around the town.
Images for kids
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Agios Nikolaos church (7-9th century)
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Lake Voulismeni
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The promenade
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View of the port
See also
In Spanish: Ágios Nikolaos para niños
