Heraklion

Opposite the Great Koules, the Venetian Rocca a Mare that still dominates the entrance to the Venetian harbour of Heraklion, the Ottomans constructed a second and smaller fortress to strengthen the harbour’s defences.

The fort was erected after the Ottoman capture of Candia in 1669, at the northern end of the eastern harbour mole and directly opposite the Great Koules. From these positions, the two forts could control the narrow harbour entrance from either side and create intersecting fields of fire against approaching enemy ships.

It was known in Ottoman Turkish as Küçük Su Kalesi, meaning the “Small Water Fortress”. Among the inhabitants of Heraklion, it became widely known as the Small Koules, in contrast to the much larger Venetian fortress on the opposite side of the harbour entrance.

The Small Koules was the most important new fortification added by the Ottomans to the harbour area. They also repaired the Great Koules and other port installations that had been damaged during the long Siege of Candia.

The small fortress survived into the 20th century and can be clearly seen in old photographs of Heraklion harbour. Its position at the end of the mole, opposite the Great Koules, illustrates the complementary defensive role of the two fortifications.

Its demolition began in May 1936 as part of the construction of new harbour quays. The monument was considered an obstacle to the modernisation and expansion of the port and was completely removed. The first section of the new quay was constructed on the site and later became known locally as the “grape quay”.

No visible remains of the Small Koules survive today. Modern port facilities and the building of the Central Port Authority of Heraklion now occupy the area. The appearance of the lost fortress is known through old maps, engravings and photographs taken before its demolition.