Chania is a town on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete, known for Venetian-era harbor, narrow streets, and seaside restaurants.
Chania is a town on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete. It is known for its 14th-century Venetian harbor, narrow streets, and seaside restaurants. At the entrance to the harbor is a 16th-century lighthouse with Venetian, Egyptian and Ottoman influences. Opposite, the Maritime Museum features model ships, nautical objects, and photographs. The former monastery of Saint Francis houses the Archaeological Museum of Chania.
1. Old Venetian Harbour
Think about the old Venetian harbor of Chania as the gemstone on the most priceless jewel of western Crete called the old town of Chania. It will amaze you whenever you visit it. The quay is the busiest part of the old town of Chania, filled with cafes, restaurants, bars, bakeries and other shops. However, the old Venetian harbor of Chania would have been just like another beautiful seaside tourist place, if there haven’t been preserved its monuments since the Venetian rule period (1252-1645), the Ottoman rule (1645-1898 ), and the years of the Egyptian domination (1831-1841) that occurred during the Turkish period.
2. Nautical Museum of Crete
The Nautical Museum of Crete is a museum in Chania/ Its collection includes models of ships, nautical instruments, painting, historical photographs, and war relics. The material is classified chronologically, starting from the Bronze Age up to our times.
3. Firka Fortress
The fortress Revellino del Porto on the northwest side of the port of Chania was constructed by Venetians to prevent any enemy danger for the port. Its construction began in 1610 and completed a few years before the fall of the city in Turks in 1645. The interior was organized to barracks and ammunition storage areas. It was also the headquarters of the Army Commander of the city. In about the middle of the courtyard, there is a large domed water tank that gathered rainwater from the roofs. On the northern side of the wall, there are six arched openings that included cannons for the protection of the entrance of the harbor.
4. The Lighthouse Of Chania
The original Venetian lighthouse was built around the late 16th century to protect the harbor. A chain could be connected from the base of the lighthouse to the fortress of Firkas in order to close the harbor. During the Turkish occupation, the lighthouse fell into disrepair and was eventually rebuilt between 1824 and 1832 in the form of a minaret. The modern lighthouse is often referred to as ‘ Egyptian’ because it was built during a time where Crete was occupied by Egyptian troops who were supporting the weakening Ottoman Empire against the rebellious Cretans.
5. Archaeological Museum of Chania
The Archaeological Museum of Chania is a museum located in the former Venetian Monastery of Saint Francis. It was established in 1962. The exact date that the building was constructed is unknown although it was mentioned in writing as standing during the great earthquake of 1595 and being the largest in the city. It served as a Venetian church inhabited by Franciscan friars and became an important monument of the city.