The urban planning of Heraklion is somewhat disconcerting. In the center of the city are Byzantine churches, Venetian palaces, Turkish fountains, neoclassical buildings and concrete buildings built in the 1950s. Destroyed several times, notably in August 1898 and during the Second World War, Heraklion had the worst difficulties in managing its development. During the military junta, Venetian buildings were razed to the ground. The notion of architectural heritage has only very recently entered the Heraklian mentality. The preparation of the Summer Olympic Games in 2004 has changed Heraklion’s urban landscape enormously. The seafront leading to the “pankriti” stadium has been developed for the Olympic Games, and the old industrial buildings have been transformed into trendy places (restaurants, bars, shopping malls, …) Part of the city center is now pedestrianized, electric and telephone cables are systematically buried. A considerable effort has been made to improve the urban living environment. Heraklion is offering many facilities to tourists. and museums. The archeological museum of Heraklion houses the world’s largest collection of Minoan objects. A large part of the frescoes of Knossos is preserved there. Archeological site of knossos, the main minoan palace, is only a few kms from city center.