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Palaiokastro ruins and beach are 10 kilometers west of Heraklion at the end of a gorge. It is organized pebble beach with rocks on both sides, that protects beach from the wind so the sea is mostly calm there. The ruins of Palaiokastro fortress on the top of calcareous rock on the side of the beach gives unique appearance to this place. The previous fort in the location of later Venetian fortress Palaiokastro was built in the beginning of the 13th century and it's said that even much earlier there was ancient city Kytaion. The original Venetian fort, which partly remains till nowadays, was constructed in the 16th century in addition to the fortification of Candia (medieval city of current Heraklion) for secure the bay and coastline. The fort had triangular shape adapted to its base on the rock hill and surrounding landscape. One more Venetian sight at this place worth to be mentioned. The small tower at the beach was stone lime kiln of its
