Experiences
The Municipal Market
Neoclassical building in the shape of a cross which occupies an area of 4,000 square meters. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century and was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos in 1913. It is still considered the heart of the city and houses four separate markets: fish market, meat market, vegetable market and dairy / cheese market.
Ancient Kydonia
According to the excavations, the modern city of Chania was built on the ruins of ancient Kydonia. In the Splantzia district, you can follow in the footsteps of the prehistoric ancestors of Crete. Numerous excavations reveal the structure of the old settlement, with remains of houses, streets, and squares from the Minoan and Mycenaean times (3650-1070 BC).
Chania Municipal Art Gallery
In an impressive space, the Municipality of Chania has created a space of art and culture. The visitor discovers paintings by Cretan artists in a collection that is constantly enriched.
Temporary exhibitions are often set up, with a lot of care and attention.
Cathedral of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin. The oldest church building had been turned into a soap factory by the Turkish occupiers. The Prime Minister of the Sultan (also a Cretan) financed the construction of the new church in 1860. Unlike most Orthodox churches, it was built according to the standards of Venetian architecture.
Maritime Museum of Crete
The Naval Museum was created to display the rich naval history of Crete that dates back to the Minoan era, 3000 years ago. Visitors can admire a rich collection of maps, instruments, paintings and models, including one of an actual Minoan boat, built with the tools and methods of 1500 B.C.
Archaeological Museum of Chania
The Archaeological Museum is housed in the beautifully renovated area of the Catholic Church of St. Francis, next to the old Venetian Monastery.
Venetian Shipyards (Neoria)
Neoria was built by the Venetians between 1467 and 1599. A total of 17 were built but many collapsed later, during the Turkish occupation and the Second World War. Today 7 of them continue to exist.
Firka Fortress
The historic fortress was built to protect the entrance to the port and is only part of the overall fortification system of the city. It is also called by its Turkish name, which means barracks. It is actually of Venetian construction and is a wonderful example of military construction and organization. From the Observatory visitors can admire the port of Chania and the lighthouse, just opposite, on the edge of the waterfront.
Yali Tzamisi
Also known as the Kucuk Hassan Mosque, it is a shining example of Renaissance Islamic architecture. It was built in 1645 and is one of the few mosques that have survived to this day. With its impressive dome and unique construction, it can not go unnoticed and has been reduced to one of the most characteristic symbols of the city.
Turkish Baths
One of the buildings that were Turkish Baths. The Baths of Chania were famous for their mosaics. The visitor can admire the vaulted roof inside the building.
Sabbionara Gate and Rampart
Porta Sabbionara is the only surviving gate from the old Venetian wall. It dates back to the 16th century and the Latin name means Sand Gate. Today it houses art exhibitions. Next to the Gate, the visitor can admire the ruins of the bastion of the same name
Byzantine and post-Byzantine Museum
The rich history of the Prefecture of Chania includes beautiful finds from the Byzantine and post-Byzantine period. Murals, icons, coins, sculptures, mosaics and pottery can be admiered in the Catholic Church of the old Franciscan Monastery SanSalvatore.
Municipal Garden, Historical Cafe “Kipos” and the Clock tower
The Garden was designed and created in 1870 according to the European standards of the time by the Pasha of Chania. To this day it is a place of rest and recreation. The rare kri-kri (Cretan chamois), peacocks and ducks are hosted in the fenced pond. The historic cafe “Garden” (founded in 1870), is famous for its quality events, while on the east side is the Clock Tower and the Municipal Cinema.
The Chania Catholic Church
The Catholic Church of Chania also functions as a Cathedral and is the seat of the Diocese of Crete. It was founded in 1879 and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Ελληνικά