Irakleion, also known as Heraklion or Herakleion, is the largest city and administrative capital of the Greek island of Crete. It serves as the capital of the Heraklion regional unit and ranks as the fourth largest city in Greece. The city is the most populous urban center in the Greek islands, with a metropolitan population recorded at 211,370 according to the 2011 census.
The greater area surrounding the city has been continuously inhabited since at least 7000 BCE, making it one of the oldest inhabited regions in Europe. It is notably home to the ancient Knossos Palace, a primary center of the Minoan civilization dating back to approximately 2000–1350 BCE. Often considered Europe's oldest city, the palace is one of Greece's most significant archaeological sites and attracts visitor numbers second only to the Parthenon.