Agios Nikolaos, history

The city of Agios Nikolaos was built on the location of the ancient "Lato pros Kamara - port of Lato Etera". Both towns formed one administrative unit, which flourished during the 3rd century B.C. Both worshipped goddess Elithyeia (goddess of childbirth) and they had the same coins - with Elithyeia or Artemis (Diana) on one side and Hermes Lation on the other - as well as their own economy. The Latians - contrary to other towns, which were almost constantly in war with other cities - were in good terms with their neighbouring cities of Elounda, Driros, Milatos and Minoa. There is not enough reference about the Byzantine period. During the Venetian occupation (1204-1669), Genoan pirates built a castle on top of the Kefali hill (prefecture hill), which was renamed by the Venetians "Merabello" and gave its name to the whole region. The castle was destroyed by earthquakes and burnt during pirate raids. The city of Agios Nikolaos was thrust aside during the years of the Turkish occupation and was reinhabited in the 1860's by fugitives from Sfakia (Chania), from Kritsa and other parts of Crete. In 1881, Agios Nikolaos was a small picturesque village of few people and in 1900, its population was about 500 inhabitants. However, in 1905, it became the capital of the province.

The city of Agios Nikolaos was named after the small Byzantine church of Saint Nicholas, which is located next to  "Minos Palace" hotel. The church is carefully preserved.

The Archaeological Museum is situated on K. Paleologou Street, almost 400 m away from the bridge and houses real treasures of the Minoan and the other periods of the history of eastern Crete.

The Folk Art Museum is located next to the bridge at the beginning of K. Paleologou Street and houses marvellous objects of popular artcraft of the area. It was established in 1978 by the Cultural Association of Eastern Crete (P.E.A.K.), which has the management's responsibility. The museum is accommodated at one of the oldest edifices of Agios Nikolaos. The basic core of museum collection contains a lot of species of objects, which are benefaction from "Sightseers' Club of Agios Nikolaos". The collection is enriched continually with objects that are donated to the museum or are bought from the management of the association.
The museum's collection has a lot of authentic samples of Cretan folk art, mainly textiles and needlework, some of which are unique (e.g. the rug with repeated turns of dense decorative on rhombus dated at the end of 18th century).
Objects on display include: utensils from a traditional Cretan household, a collection of long standing holy icons, a wealthy collection of fretwork small objects, manuscripts and other clerial books, old documents on local history, agricultural tools, a loom, bated chests, old photos, coins, traditional musical instruments etc.The collection of "tsevre" (Cretan tittle of needlework) and Cretan towels of Hrisoula Xanthoudidou is also worth seeing.
General John Alexakis's collection of weapons is really impressive, with items from the time of the Turkish occupation in Crete, and from the Balkan wars that he has participated in.

 Source: The Municipal Enterprise for the Development of Tourism of Agios Nikolaos, 72100, Crete, Greece