The shipyards are large dome-shaped spaces by the sea, where ships were built or left for necessary maintenance works and storage. In the early 17th century, the port of the Heraklion had three shipyards. The oldest one (Arsenali Antichi) was located on the south side of the harbour and collapsed in the 19th century, probably during an earthquake. The second one (Arsenali Vecchi), located west to Arsenali Antichi, was built in the 1550s and had four sections, while the third (Arsenali Nuovi and Nuovissimi), located on the east side of the harbour, was completed in the early 17th century and comprised ten sections.

The Venetian Shipyards remained in operation during the Ottoman period. Later on, as wooden sailboats had given way to larger steamships, the remaining two shipyards "fell victim" to the modernisation of port infrastructures. At present, just 5 sections of the shipyards are preserved (4 of Vecchi and 1 of Nuovi) next of the Venetian harbour.