Jesus Bastion

Why was a bastion named after Jesus? Here at the Jesus Bastion, the very stones whisper tales of a turbulent past. The Jesus Bastion and Gate stand proudly as part of Heraklion’s Venetian walls. These walls, built in the 16th century, were designed to protect the city, especially from the Ottoman Empire. The Jesus Bastion and Gate are situated on the southern side of the walls. They were named after a nearby church dedicated to Jesus. The bastion’s purpose was to defend Heraklion from southern attacks. The gate, also known as the “New Gate” or “Porta Nuova,” was the last of the four main gates built, completed in 1587. The Jesus Gate boasts a beautiful Renaissance style. Its inner facade, facing the city, is adorned with a frieze featuring metopes, triglyphs, trophies, bucrania, and lions. The outer facade displays an arched gateway, four escutcheons, and a Gothic monogram. This gate leads into a vaulted passage, approximately 42 meters long and 5.5 meters wide. Vaulted rooms flank the passage, once used for storage. In the early 20th century, Heraklion began to modernize. The rise of automobiles required better access through the walls. A new opening was created near the Jesus Gate, and a bridge was built for cars. This passage was dubbed the “New Gate” or “Kainourgia Porta.” Interestingly, in the 1970s, the bridge was rebuilt. The goal was to restore the wall’s continuity and historical integrity. The Jesus Gate has been restored and is now open to the public. Inside, you can find a permanent exhibition dedicated to the author Nikos Kazantzakis. The Jesus Bastion and Gate serve as a powerful reminder of Heraklion’s Venetian heritage. They also showcase its enduring importance as a cultural landmark.