Situated on the Greek island of Crete, Heraklion has been under the control of several civilizations throughout its history. The palace at Knossos, just outside the city, dates back to 2,000 BC and the Minoan Civilization, and the surrounding area has been inhabited for 9,000 years and is known as the oldest city in Greece. The Venetians also ruled the city for an extended period of time, and their architecture is present in Venetian Harbour, the Koules Fortress, and in architecture all around the city. There are also several important museums in the city, such as the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Historical Museum of Crete.