Across from Kastelli, on the other side of the harbor, dominating even the Firkas, built on a low hill, which today houses the Maritime Museum of Crete. The name Firkas is Turkish and means division, as the fort was the headquarters of the Turkish Division. Firkas is one of the most impressive Venetian fortresses. Was the main Venetian barracks of the city and was built in key position, protecting the entrance to the harbor. Outside the main gate was secured strong iron ring, the kerkelos, to which was tied a chain that barred the entrance of the harbor, as they were attached to another kerkelo the other side of the entrance, the lighthouse. The fort there were underground tunnels, which were used as prisons.
In Firkas written the most glorious page of modern Crete, as the Dec. 1, 1913, Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos and King Constantine hoisted the Greek flag in a turret of the fortress, after tens of centuries of slavery, sealing the Union of the Cretan State with the state of Greece. Another historical event associated with the Bastion is the sum of the fabric of Greek Flag, who had raised the Cretans on August 18, 1908, after the resolution of the Cretan Assembly for the Union. The flag cut the contingents of the Great Powers, which then did not want the union. So Firkas is for Cretans symbol of bitter struggles for the liberation of the island.
Inside, the space was configured with suitable buildings in barracks and ammunition storage . It was also the seat of the military governor of the city . In the middle of the courtyard there is a large vaulted tank that gathered rainwater roofs . The north side of the complex Revellino occupies six contiguous canopy where there were large cannon (casematte) one on each dome , designed so that the fire of the guns to cover the port entrance.
The spaces of the vaults were used as prisons during the Turkish occupation until the years of the civil war . In a corner turret of the fortress was erected symbolic 1 December 1913 the flag of the Union of Crete with Greece . The buildings of the west wing have two floors with domed chambers . In the doorway to the first floor there is the inscription «ALOYSIUS BRAGADEUSPROVISOR CYDONIAE. M.DCXX ». In the middle of the courtyard there is a large tank that gathered rain water from the roofs .
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GPS: 35.518787, 24.015703