Aghios
Nikolaos, today is capital of the prefecture of Lassithi, has been
named by some travelers "Venice of the East". Its distance from
Iraklion airport is 65 km. The city is being developed on the south
west of the Mirambello bay, while in its corner is the salt
lake"Voulismeni" or "Vromolimni", the depth of which is undiscovered so
far .The most important one is the fascinating salt lake which is
connected with the Merambellos bay through a narrow channel. The sea
here is superb, the harbour picturesque, and there is a lovely, small
lake at the foot of,
the cliffs, next to the sea. The fresh water of the lake wells up from
a great depth and the lake has been connected to the sea. There Is a
bridge over the narrow channel between the lake and the sea and an
evening walk here Is very pleasant; time stops as you sit at one of the
little tables outside the cafes.
The area has a mild climate with extremely low humidity with a
clear atmosphere. In past years it has become an international .
tourist center. Tourist period starts from April, in order to enjoy not
only the natural beauties but also the luxurious hotels, the hospitable
furnished flats and the hundreds . of restaurants, tavernas; dancing
places, parallel to the civilizing demonstrations that take place in
summer throughout the prefecture.
Aghios Nikolaos took its name after the little church having the same
name situated on its. north side . and which .is .one of Crete's oldest
churches, with wall paintings of the 8th arid 9th centuries after
Christ.
The city is built on top of Lato to Kamara which was the harbour of the
city Lato Etera situated at the: location of today's Goula, near
Kritsa.
The first step towards touristic development was made in 1963 with the construction of the big hotel unit "Minos Beach".
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