The town of IERAPETRA is located on the south coast of Crete, along the beach of Ierapetra Bay. It lies south of Agios Nikolaos and southwest of Sitia and is an important regional centre. With its 13450 inhabitants it is the most populous town in the prefecture of Lasithi, and the fourth town of Crete. Ierapetra is popularly know as the southernmost town of Europe, nicknamed “ bride of the Libyan Sea’’ because of its position as only town on the south coast of Crete.
Ierapetra has had a place in the history of Crete since the Minoan period. The Greek and later Roman town of Hierapytna was on the same sight as present day Ierapetra. In the Classical Age Ierapytna became the strongest town of eastern Crete. Later, in the 3rd century BC, Hierapytna was infamous for its tendency to piracy. Its importance ended when it was destroyed by the Romans in 67 BCE.
Today remains of the Roman harbor can still be seen in the shallow bay. In 824 CE it was destroyed by Arab invaders, only to be rebuilt as abase for pirates[ again!]. In the Venetian Age, from the 13th to the 17th centuries, Ierapetra now Know by its present name became prosperous again. The fortress of Kales, built in 1626 to protect the Harbor, is a remnant of this period, although local myth says it was built by the Genoese pirate Pescatore in 1212. In July 1798 Ierapetra made a small step into world history: Napoleon stayed with he stayed can still be seen. In the Ottoman period a mosque was built in the town. Finds from Ierapetras past can be found in the local Museum of Antiquities, formerly a school for Turkish children. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a well preserved statue of Persephone.Present day Ierapetra consists of two quite distinct parts, Kato Mera and Pano Mera. Kato Mera is the old town on the southwestern headland. It is characterized by a medieval street layout with narrow alleyways, cul-de –sacs and small houses, creating a village-like atmosphere. The former mosque and the house of napoleon can be found in this neighborhood. Pano Mera is the much bigger new town, with wider streets and three and four storey houses. Pano Mera is still expanding towards the west, north and east.

Napoleon's House

It was in July 1798 when Napoleon's fleet on the way to Egypt anchored off Ierapetra and a family in the city put up Bonaparte. The old cretan house in Kato Mera still holds a recollection of this historical visit.
The legend says that Napoleon stopped in Crete and spent a night in Ierapetra without declaring his identity till next morning, when a short note was found on his pillow after his having set sail.
The note was written in French and reads as follows: "If you want to find out who your guest was, then you should know that I am Napoleon Bonaparte."
The local people nowadays proudly point out the house in which Napoleon was hosted. The house is located in the old city, it has been declared a protected building and has been restored by the Archaeological Service in charge.
Putting aside the controversies of historians and the scientific discussions, no matter what the final scientific truth will be, the people of Ierapetra will never cease to be proud of the great guest of their fellow-townsman and show Perouliou's house, which can be found today under the name "Napoleon's house".

The foundation of the city is lost among legends and traditions. In the Minoan times it existed as a settlement or as a small town and its dwellers where among the first people that were involved in the transit trade between Crete and Egypt.
Many records indicate that in the historic times, up to the 4th century BC the city was developing. From this century on, the Doric city of Ierapetra began to emerge as a great military and commercial power in the area of East Crete.
Ierapetra was located on the crossing of two cultures, that of the Minoans and that of the Achaeans. It obtained this priviledged posititon not only due to its military and commercial power, but also due to its far-sighted politic. Under the Romans Ierapitna maintained its pronounced presence in the area of East Crete.
During the first Byzantine period the city flourishes. However, it is possible that it remained the seat of the bishop due to historic reasons.
During the period of the Arabic conquest, because of its location Ierapitna must have been one of the first cities that were taken over by the Saracens in 824. It is possible that the Saracens rounded off the devastating work of the terrible earthquake of 795, which hit the whole island of Crete harshly.
After the conquest of the island by the Venetians, Ierapitna got its current name: IERAPETRA.
In the 1647 Ierapetra was conquered by the Turks, who had started raiding Crete at least a century ago and hit mostly its coastline cities and villages.
Ierapetra had been also sorely tried.

The fortress
It was built by the Venetians -the well known "Kales " - on the southernmost pier of the ancient harbor, facing "the land of the Saracens".
Its firm construction as well as its use till the end of the 19th century have preserved it to date, so that it reminds us of past times that have been difficult for the town as well as our nation.
It's quite probable that its erection started around 1212, as the archaeologist L.Mariani also claims, by the pirate Pescatore of Genoa.
The first official evidence is an official document of the Venetian Senate dated April 13th 1307, in which the construction of a fortress in Ierapetra is mentioned.
The next reference to the fortress dates from the 16th century and Sammicheli supervises its restoration after the terrible earthquake of 1508 and the Turkish raids. It seems, however that the damages were very serious and not all the necessary repairs were done.
In 1647, when Ierapetra was taken by the Turks, the fortress was preserved by the conquerors for defense reasons. Although many alterations were made, a lot of the Venetian elements have been held.
The current name "Kales" is certainly a corrupt form of the tourkish word "koules" that means castle.