25th of August Street, Heraklion

Once known as "Odos Planis" or "Illusion Street," 25th of August Street earned its nickname due to the impressive Neoclassical buildings that line the approach from the harbor. Today, it is a paved pedestrian thoroughfare, bustling with activity, and home to banks, travel bureaus, and tourist shops housed within these historic structures. The street offers visitors a chance to combine sightseeing with shopping and local culture.

Walking along 25th of August Street, several notable landmarks catch the eye, including the Church of Saint Titus, the Loggia, and the Basilica of St. Mark. Each of these buildings reflects the architectural styles of different periods and tells a story of Heraklion’s resilience and transformation following the major earthquakes and fires of 1898. The street itself serves as a visual record of the city’s history, preserving layers of its past.

The origins of 25th of August Street go back to the Arab period in the 9th or 10th century, when it first served as the main artery connecting the town center to the harbor. During Venetian rule, it was called Main Street, and under Ottoman control, it was known as Vizier's Market, named after the Vezir Mosque.

The current name commemorates a tragic event on 25 August 1898, when a violent outbreak during the feast of St. Titus led to the deaths of many people, including 17 British soldiers and the British Consul Lysimachos Kalokairinos. This incident triggered international intervention, eventually contributing to Crete’s union with Greece in 1913.