The scent of popcorn and cotton candy hangs heavy in the air. A kaleidoscope of flashing lights paints the night sky. Welcome to Luna Park Katerina in Heraklion.
Luna Park Katerina isn’t just a collection of rides. It’s a living legacy. A testament to a family’s passion and perseverance. It all started in 1949 with Savvas Dakanalis a war veteran. He was licensed for technical games. They were simple manual games. Lighting came from oil lamps. He traveled across Northern Greece sharing his simple amusements.
In 1957 Savvas took a chance. He imported the first theme park rides from Italy. He didn’t know if this new kind of entertainment would succeed in Greece. Using his mother’s name Katerina he set up his park in Thessaloniki. He started building his dream.
He and his wife Stella moved their business every ten days. They set up in villages and towns. People loved it. It fueled his ideas. His passion grew. He wanted to make Luna Park Katerina famous. His son Kostas helped transform the small business into a giant. Today there are over 80 rides. They can travel anywhere in the world.
In 1987 Luna Park Katerina opened in Heraklion’s “park of youth”. It stayed there for eleven years. It brought joy to children and adults. In 1998 the park moved to the old harbor. It now boasts 6000 square meters. This includes a 2000 square meter parking area.
Luna Park Katerina is designed for everyone. The rides cater to all ages. They renew the rides every six months. This ensures the fun never ends. The park maintains strict safety standards. Daily checks and maintenance are done by skilled staff. Schools from all over Crete and Greece trust Luna Park Katerina. It’s the only real Luna Park in Crete. It’s open all year round.
So take a moment. Breathe in the sweet air. Let the laughter of children and the thrill of the rides fill you with joy. You are experiencing a piece of Cretan history a family’s dream come true. Luna Park Katerina welcomes you. Enjoy the magic.