PRESENTATION Helen Tzavlaki Maria Sxoinaraki Michael Farsaris
Introduction • Our school the 7th General Lyceum of Heraklion is located at the west suburb's area of the city. It serves the second degree educational necessities of a vast area of Heraklion, which gathers a number of 10,000 inhabitants. The students that attend our courses are numbered at almost 400.
Heraklion • Heraklion is a city of almost 200,000 people , the fifth one in numbers, of Greece. It's name has been given by Hercules Idaius , the first who has organised trials in ancient Olympia. During the Minoan era the city of Heraklion exists as the main port of the city of Knossos.
Byzantine era • At the byzantine era (4th - 7th century A.D) Heraklion is less developed and its population decrees because of the pirates and the natural devastations. As a result the Saracins Arabs occupy Heraklion in 824 A.D . and rename the city as Rabdh el Khandaq , in Greek Handakas and in Latin Candia , which means the Fortress of Trench.
• The city is liberated by the Byzantines and the general and future emperor of Byzantium Nikiforos Fokas in 961 A.D . At first the city declines, but later is rebuilt under the name of "Megalo Castro" ("The Big Fortress") .
Venice – Regno di Candia • During the 4th Crusade (1203-1204 A.D) Crete and Heraklion passes to the hands of Venice . Although because of the delay of Venicians to stabilize their sovereignty in Crete the Genovese Errico Pescattore occupies the island for five years, until 1211 A.D. After that year Crete and Heraklion passes to Venice under the name "Regno di Candia".
Map of Candia
• Candia (Heraklion) transforms into the political, commercial, economical, cultural and regional center of the island in whole. Although during the 13th and 14th centuries the Cretan inhabitants of the island rebel many times against Venice and only after liberal reforms of the Venice authorities towards population the situation will be stabilized. • In the next years a significant and prosperous Cretan-Venitian middle class is going to be formed and an economical and cultural growth is going to make its appearance.
Art in Candia • The main sectors that will be affected are architecture (Basilica of San Marco, Loggia, Palazzo Ducale, Fortress of Koule, Gates), art of painting (artists such as Damascinos, Klontzas, El Greco etc.), literature and poetry ("Erotokritos" a great poetic novel of Vincenzos Cornaros, "Erofili" of Georgios Hortatzis etc.).
First Page of the textes of medieval poems of “Erotokritos” and “Erofili” printed in Venice.
Ottomans era • In 1645 A.C. Crete is conquered by the Ottomans Turks and two years later begins the siege of city of Candia which will last for 22 years. At last the city is conquered by the Ottomans in 1669 . • After its capitulation, the city is almost completely devastated and the Ottomans begin to renovate its public buildings. . Although for the next two centuries the city declines and just after 18th century begins to grow again.
The Ottoman siege of Candia
1856- earthquake • In 1856 A.D. a huge earthquake takes place and demolishes almost 99% of the buildings, public and private. The city is rebuilt once again following mostly the ottoman architectural example. Among the new buildings are a significant number of neoclassical rhythm, showing the reborn hellenic spirit and modernization.
View of Ottoman Heraklion
Union with Greece • After 268 years of slavery by the Ottomans, Heraklion and Crete, in December of 1913 , liberated and annexed to Greece. During the next years almost 25,000 moslim inhabitants of the city will fled to Minor Asia and Turkey. All these will be replaced by a significant number of Greek orthodox refugees of Minor Asia.
Greek Orthodox Refugees of Minor Asia at Heraklion.
The city’s expansion • The city grows significantly and new streets and suburbs are built. A new airport is constructed also, and the port is expanding. Although many ottoman monuments are demolishing following modernization and for economic reasons.
Second World War • At last, the city had to face the tragic experience of the Second World War . On 20th May 1941 thousands of German paratroopers invade the island and Heraklion faces a fatal danger, on 23rd May , the so called "Black Friday". The 1/3 of the city buildings are devastated and many of its inhabitants face death. Among the defenders were Cretans, British, Australians and New Zealanders fighters. • Although their brave defense the city is capitulated by the Nazi' s paratroopers at 1st June 1941 . During the next three years death and fear are the stable life elements. The liberation of city was achieved finally on 11th October 1944 .
German parachutists
Modern era • Since the end of World War the city grows rapidly in every aspect of social life. In economy the income is produced mostly of tourist activities , as well as by trade, industry and agriculture (olives, grapes, wine, raisins).
The cultural aspect of Heraklion • Heraklion today is the biggest city and the economical, political and cultural center of Crete. Two of the most well known authors of modern Greek literature, Nikos Kazantzakis ("Alexis Zorbas", "The last Temptation" etc.) and the Nobel prized poet Odysseas Elytis ("Axion Esti") were born in Heraklion
Nikos Kazantzakis
Education program • Finally, as it concerns our school, as we have already noticed, it provides a second level education program among with a general educational aspect. Within that it prepares its students to take part in examinations for academic studies in all kinds of faculties. After the second year (age of sixteen) each student chooses a sector of studies and follows the proper educational program. The three main sectors are: i) Humanistic and social studies, ii) Science studies , iii) Economy and new technology .
• The lessons for the first course include ancient Greek and Latin literature, history and sociology and prepare the student for examinations that lead to academic attendances in the faculties of History, Literature, Sociology, Psychology, Law and Theology.
The second one course includes lessons in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and prepares the student for participation in examinations which lead to similar faculties and also to medicine. At last, the third sector includes studies and lessons on Mathematics, Economy and New Technologies which prepare the students to attend similar studies on the next educational level.
• Of course, we must notice that the attempt to provide a general educational system for all our students is not neglected and is given by a supplementary educational program during each day. That includes a variety of lessons such as Modern Greek literature, Theology, European History, Philosophy etc. which conclude the attempt for proper studies. Platon Konstantinos Kavafis
• Also, our school always tries to be present in each aspect of social life . A group of theater with various presentations in school festivals, a music group, additional lessons for weak students and financially disable, a distribution of food to families that face economic problems, visits in museums, universities, institutes, presentations and lectures, collaboration with experts in the item of bullying etc.
• At last, but not least our school has participated in various European projects such as: • a) "The young Eurocitizen", a three year long term, since 2004 and until 2007, (04-GRC01-52C01-00178-3), • b) "Tourism through Archeological Monuments, cultures and traditions", a two year long term (2007-2009), (07-GRC01-C006- 00075-1), • c) "The Europro(of) Guidebook - A practical culture resistant learning approach", a two year long term (2010-2012), (2010- 1- NL1-COM06-029049).
• And of course this the fourth participation to a European project and we look forward to collaborating with our European partners for the goal of a common European identity.
• Finally, the number of teachers in our school is about 35 and the school is guided by a supervisor (at this moment and for the next two years Mr. Dimitris Sakellaris) and two vice supervisors. We hope that we gave a decent idea of our city, our educational system and its function.
The costumes of the movie “ El Greco” are exhibited in Gate Bethleem of Heraklion
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