Chania (also spelled: Haniá)is the capital city, a place where different
civilizations have flourished throughout the centuries. Wandering
around the Old Town’s maze-like alleys with the beautiful Venetian
mansions, the fountains and the elaborate churches will help you
discover well-preserved historical monuments.
The
city of Chania is built on the area of Minoan Kidonia, at the end of the
homonym gulf between Akrotiri and Onicha peninsulas. It was the former
capital city of Crete (from 1847 until 1972). Nowadays, it is the second
largest city of Crete after Heraklion and capital of the homonym
prefecture.
Chania includes the old and new city. It is one of
the most beautiful and picturesque cities in Greece and for food lovers,
it's a paradise!
Get familiar with the city of Chania by
wandering around in its streets, visiting its museums and admiring the
different architectural styles presenting the historical route of the
city.
After Arabs and Byzantines it was conquered by Venetians in
1252 and was given to Turks in 1669, later it was annexed to the rest
of the Greek State on December 1913 under the administration of
Eleftherios Venizelos and King Konstantinos the 1st. The old town is an
integral settlement with visible boundaries set by the Venetian walls
surrounding it.
Chania has daily boat connection with Piraeus
port from Souda port (7 km). Chania is also connected with Athens by
airplane which you can take from Akrotiri airport 15 km E of the city.
The
old town is built around the Venetian port and is also a relatively
integral area where Venetian buildings and later Turkish elements
compose a unique architectural style. Due to the historic center of
Chania with its Venetian walls defining the borders between the old and
new city and its ramparts, the city has been pronounced as preserved. It
consists of five connected districts surrounding the Venetian port.
Its
design was made by Venetian engineer Michelle Sammichelli. The
Lighthouse is located at the end of the rock protecting the port from
the north. It was built in 1570 by the Venetians and reconstructed in
1830 by the Egyptians and from there on preserves its current state.
On
the east of Palea Poli is Splantzia (or Plaza) district built on the
former Turkish district. Here you will see among others Aghii Anargiri
church, the only Orthodox church which had the permission to operate
during the period of the Venetian and Turkish occupations. You will also
see the Sintrivani square.
Neoria (or Chiones) district on the
northeast side is located in the area of the former port of the city and
of the Venetian ship yards of 14th and 16th centuries from which it
also took its name.
Kastelli district is in the center of Palea
Poli (Old Town) west of Neoria. It is the exalted location of the
Byzantine citadel where “palatso” (palace) of the Venetian commander and
the lodgings of Pashas of Chania were later built. Venetians used to
call the area Castello Vecchio.
On the southeast of the old city
lies the Hebrew district or else Ovraika. It reminds us the times when
the developing Hebrew community of Chania was obliged by the Venetians
to move to a delimitated area called judeca where two synagogues were
operating.
On the boarders of Ovraika, in Chalides Street, you
will see the Folklore Museum of Chania and Aghios Fragkiskos church
(14th century) which houses the Archeological Museum of Chania. On the
north side is the Turkish bath (chamam). In the south side of Ovraika
and on Skridlof Street lies the so called Stivanadika (from stivani, the
Cretan boots). Among the shops selling leather items and souvenirs
survive some traditional shoe ateliers.
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