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Chania (from the Greek language, Ta Janiá) is a municipality located northwest of the island of Crete, in southern Greece, which has about 180,000 inhabitants.
In the Modern Age, it temporarily became the capital of the Cretan state. However, the center of the island is nowadays Heraklion. In any case, the city of Chania is the second most important on the island.
During the Middle Ages, different peoples invaded the territory, including the Saracens, Venetians and Ottomans. His traces can still be seen in the different buildings of the city.
Today, this has led to a coexistence of customs and traditions of all kinds that are present in Chania.
Here we will tell you about the main attractions of Chania for you to take into account during your visit to Crete.
Here you can appreciate all the influence of the different civilizations that passed through the city, with the buildings in multiple architectural styles.
It is surrounded by large Byzantine walls from the 6th century, in a very good state of preservation.
This gives the guideline that warrior peoples settled in this location. Especially pay attention to the coexistence between Venetian and Turkish buildings.
The main square in this area is called Eleftherios Venizelos (also known by its old name, Santrivani). There you will see a beautiful fountain where tourists come to make wishes.
It is also an area where you will find bars and restaurants to eat something on the go or sit down to rest and enjoy intercultural gastronomy.
It is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world, which represents one of the symbols of the city and of Crete itself. It is 21 meters high and dates from the 16th century. You can find it in the Venetian port.
In front of the Egyptian lighthouse you will find the emblematic Firkas Fortress. It dates from the year 1629 and was built to protect the city from Turkish domination.
Inside you can find the Naval Museum of Crete, where you can see different elements of ancient and medieval navigation, as well as a theater and a display of the Battle of Crete.
It is the oldest mosque in Crete and is known worldwide as Yali Tzamisi. It dates from the year 1645 and is the emblem of Turkish domination over the island.
This building stands out not only for its imposing architecture, but also for the contrast it produces in front of the sea.
Today it does not function as a religious center, but rather as a museum and exhibition center. Turkish troops are buried in its courtyard.
It is a museum located inside the Franciscan Monastery of Agios Fragkiskos, a Venetian building whose date of construction is unknown.
This museum functioned as a mosque during the Ottoman occupation and also as a military warehouse in World War II.
Currently it has multiple exhibition areas among which you can see objects from the Neolithic period and, in turn, from civilizations such as the Minoan or Roman. Among them, you will find vessels, sculptures, tablets, coins and jewelry from the Ancient Age.
It is a park located 50 km from the city of Chania, which can be easily accessed by tour or car.
It is one of the places most chosen by tourists for hiking in Crete, as you will find long forest paths, crystal clear streams, hills and, of course, the Samaria Gorge, the largest natural gorge on the European continent (13 kilometers in length).
The walk is of low difficulty and the path is perfectly marked. You can even find rest areas and bathrooms. It usually takes about 5 hours to go through it in its entirety.
It is the only natural lake in Crete. It is located in the village of Vrises, in the Apokóronas region (on the outskirts of the city). There you will contemplate the beauty of nature in all its splendor and the distinctive vegetation of the area.
The distance from Chania to Lake Kournas is approximately 44 km and to get there, you will need to travel by car and it will take around 40 minutes.
The city of Chania is characterized by having multiple neighborhoods that are very different from each other. These reflect the intercultural coexistence of the territory.
A neighborhood that housed Christian families during the Turkish domination. There you will also find the Byzantine Museum and the Firkas Fortress. Its location is northwest of the port of Chania.
It is the neighborhood where the inhabitants from Turkey were. It stands out for its colorful buildings and the coexistence of Venetian and Turkish architecture. There you can visit the Church of Saint Nicholas of Chania (Church of Agios Nikolaos).
Moreover, in this neighborhood you will find the famous Chania market (or Chania municipal market), which is inside a building from 1911. In it you can buy all kinds of handicrafts.
Located south of the port, you will find the Monastery of Agios Fragkiskos (an old Venetian temple) and, inside, the Archaeological Museum of Chania.
This is the most popular area of the city, located southeast of the port. In it you will find multiple restaurants and taverns to go with friends or family. It is the oldest neighborhood from the medieval period and in it you will find the Governor's Palace, the Cathedral of Chania, the Mosque of the Janissaries and the Eleftherios Venizelos square.
As you will see, the municipality of Chania has a lot to offer. Now it's your turn to choose what to visit!