Chania is a small, picturesque town worth getting to know, where you’ll almost certainly stay longer than you intended, enjoying tasty food, the wonderful harbour, old buildings. great architecture and many more.
Chania is also one of the two places you are most likely to see on arriving in Crete.
It is beautiful – that is to say, much of the Chania you will want to see is clustered close to the harbour – old buildings, museums, churches and crafts shops (some with genuinely interesting and sometimes local, products on offer).
The Venetian, Turkish, traditional and modern architecture coexist in harmony in the city of Chania, creating a unique and attractive scenery for the visitors. Archaeological sites, temples, squares, and unique buildings adorn the attractive city of Chania.
The old city of Chania constitutes a unique historical monument, for which have been made many efforts by the State and the local authorities to preserve and project its historical character.
Despite the intense touristic development of the last few decades, the interventions, the disasters, and the aspect of modern architecture, the old city managed to preserve its historical and its unique architectural character to a great extent.
The city of Chania is built – according to the archaeological research – on the ruins of ancient Kydonia, which according to mythology was founded by king Kydon and was one of the most important cities Of Crete, as Homer mentioned, whereas Kydonians are supposed to be a pre-Hellenic tribe. Chania is a wonderful mixture result of Eastern and Western civilizations.
During the ancient period (3.000-2.800 B.C.) the old harbor was used by the ancient Minoans, as a crossroad of all five Continents. Furthermore, this harbor hosted ancient Kydonia to the late 7th century A.D., one of the most important cities of ancient Crete, while it was conquered many times during the past by Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Turks, Hebrews, Egyptians, and Arabs, till the end of the 19th century, when it was liberated. Finally, Chania – as well as the whole Crete – was united with independent Greece in 1913 with the significant help of the great Greek politician Eleftherios Venizelos.
Food is offered in great variety and sometimes great similarity – there are many restaurants and also cafes, at which to reflect upon the experiences of places you have just explored together with the enjoyment of some tasty food – we have suggestions for restaurants further on.
The atmosphere has a touch of Florence and Venice (a few years ago when those cities still had some room to walk), combined with the culture and character of Cretan people and traditions.
The Chania harbor is wonderful and at any particular time of day the light produces a different result, creating a “different place”.
This is the best chance to see some of the old buildings – of Venetian and Turkish design, that Crete once had across the island – many have since been destroyed by the ravages of war and plunder.
Chania is surrounded by numerous rich options for sightseeing, exploration, and discovery. Mountain villages provide a view into the “inner Crete”. The Samaria and many other gorges can be hiked, archaeological sites abound.
