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Chania is the most charming town in Crete with colourful old Venetian mansions built along the narrow alleys and facing at the old Venetian Harbour which is dominated by the Egyptian Lighthouse at its entrance. Restored Venetian mansions have been converted into chic hotels, while courtyards are restaurants serving delicious Cretan cuisine.
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Chania was a flourishing city-state during Hellenistic times and continued to prosper under Roman and Byzantine rule. In 13th the city was taken over by the Venetians who changed the city’s name to La Canea. Although, they constructed massive fortifications around the city, those did not prove strong enough to protect the city from the invasion. The Turks took the city after a siege of two months in 1645. In 1898 Chania became the capital of the semi-autonomous Cretan State with its own stamps and money. The city became more cosmopolitan and flourishing and a new class of local aristocracy brought a different atmosphere to the city. The district of Halepa has many neoclassical buildings of embassies and consulates dating from this period. Although the city of Hania was heavily bombed during the Second World War, a large part of the medieval town survives to make Chania Crete’s prettiest city.
Chania is the second largest city in Crete and the capital of Chania regional unit. The city of Chania is 60 km far from Rethimno and 145 from Heraklion. Hania spans an area of 12,56 sq. km. with a total population of 65.838 residents.
The route from the main square to the lighthouse at the entrance to the harbour is a 1.5km walk around the sea wall and is just perfect for an evening walk. On the eastern side of the inner harbour there is the Mosque of Kioutsouk Hasan (also known as the Mosque of Janissaries), which houses regular art exhibitions. The Great Arsenal on the seafron of the inner harbour has been restored and is now home to the Centre for Mediterranean Architecture, hosting events and exhibitions. The restored Etz Hayyim Jewish Synagogue is another element of the city’s multicultural past.
The local market is hosted in a cross-shaped building of the early 19th century. There are numerous of local products you can buy here like fish, local cheese, herbs and sausages or just hang out to one of the busy traditional cafes for enjoying the joyous crowd. The handmade knives are a must!
By air from Athens International Airport or by ferry boats departing from Piraeus Port in Athens.
Police: +30 28210 24477
Port Authorities of Chania: +30 28210 89240
Airport ‘Ioannis Daskalogiannis’: +30 28210 83800
Local Buses Services: +30 28210 22212
Hospital: +30 28210 27231The city of Chania is charming all year round. For a summer experience visit is from May till October. -
Map for Chania