Historical monuments
Archaeological sights and istorical monuments
The city of Chania is built - according to the 01archaeological research - on the ruins of ancient Kydonia, which according to the 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 harbour was used by the ancient Minoans, as crossroad of all five Continents. 02Furthermore, this harbour 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.
Aptera is located about 15 km. away from the city of Chania and above Souda Bay, and during the Minoan period was one of the most important city-states of Crete. It is located on en extended plateau with altitude 200m and astonishing view of Souda Bay.
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Ancient Aptera (Roman Source)
Aptera is located about 15 km. away from the city of Chania and above Souda Bay, and during the Minoan period was one of the most important city-states of Crete. It is located on en extended plateau with altitude 200m and astonishing view of Souda Bay.
The Grand Arsenal is the last of the 17 Neoria to the west. Its construction started in 1585 by the Intendant Alvise Grimani. A new era began for the Grand Arsenal with the addition of the second flour in 1872 during the Turkish period. The building hosted several important public services and authorities.
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Grand Arsenal
Michail AfentouliefThe Grand Arsenal is the last of the 17 Neoria to the west. Its construction started in 1585 by the Intendant Alvise Grimani. A new era began for the Grand Arsenal with the addition of the second flour in 1872 during the Turkish period. The building hosted several important public services and authorities.
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.
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Firka Castle
Akti KountouriotiThe 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.
Bóchali Venetian Castle
The Egyptian Lighthouse, which is one of the oldest in the world, prevails in the old Port of Chania. The sea-tossed stone lighthouse that is located at the edge of the breakwater, is not only the “guard” of the old Venetian port, but also its most famous jewel.
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Leuchtturm
The Egyptian Lighthouse, which is one of the oldest in the world, prevails in the old Port of Chania. The sea-tossed stone lighthouse that is located at the edge of the breakwater, is not only the “guard” of the old Venetian port, but also its most famous jewel.
During the Venetian occupation (1204 - 1669), the need for the closer presence of Venetians in Crete made them construct a large number of "Neoria" (arsenal) in Chania, where the ships would be repaired during the winter. The construction of the first two "Neoria" in Chania was completed in 1526. In 1593, sixteen "Neoria" had already been constructed.
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Venetian Neoria
KallergonDuring the Venetian occupation (1204 - 1669), the need for the closer presence of Venetians in Crete made them construct a large number of "Neoria" (arsenal) in Chania, where the ships would be repaired during the winter. The construction of the first two "Neoria" in Chania was completed in 1526. In 1593, sixteen "Neoria" had already been constructed.
Giali Tzamisi is the unique preserved Mosque of the city and was built during the second half of the 17th century. It is located at the Venetian Port of Chania. The Mosque Kioutsouk (meaning "little") Hassan or Giali Tzamisi (meaning, the Mosque of the Seaside), as it is commonly known, is a unique sample of islamic art of Renaissance.
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Küçük Hasan Moschee
18 SourmelisGiali Tzamisi is the unique preserved Mosque of the city and was built during the second half of the 17th century. It is located at the Venetian Port of Chania. The Mosque Kioutsouk (meaning "little") Hassan or Giali Tzamisi (meaning, the Mosque of the Seaside), as it is commonly known, is a unique sample of islamic art of Renaissance.
Idaho Andro Cave is located on the eastern ridges of Psiloritis, on the plateau of Nida. The cave is 24 km away from Anogia Mylopotamos and 78 km from Rethymno. It does not have a special cave-like value, but it has an enormous archaeological and cultural value, as it was the cave that, according to myth, grew the greatest god of antiquity, Zeus. Today Idaho Andros receives thousands of tourists from all over Crete every year, especially during the summer months.
It is situated at an altitude of 1538 m and its large entrance is placed on the area rupture, while parallel surfaces of the cave appear inside the cave. At the entrance of the cave, which is slightly downhill with a large room afterwards, but also inside, there are folds of "squat limestone". Geologically, the cave is not particularly impressive since it is devoid of decorative and great development, although near the entrance there are three imposing stalactites.
It is a cave of 800sqm which has a large central hall and a 22m long sidewalk. It is divided into three chambers and the sanctuary. The access to the chambers takes place on a slope, while some areas of a small gothic decoration are observed.
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Ideon Andron
Idaho Andro Cave is located on the eastern ridges of Psiloritis, on the plateau of Nida. The cave is 24 km away from Anogia Mylopotamos and 78 km from Rethymno. It does not have a special cave-like value, but it has an enormous archaeological and cultural value, as it was the cave that, according to myth, grew the greatest god of antiquity, Zeus. Today Idaho Andros receives thousands of tourists from all over Crete every year, especially during the summer months.
It is situated at an altitude of 1538 m and its large entrance is placed on the area rupture, while parallel surfaces of the cave appear inside the cave. At the entrance of the cave, which is slightly downhill with a large room afterwards, but also inside, there are folds of "squat limestone". Geologically, the cave is not particularly impressive since it is devoid of decorative and great development, although near the entrance there are three imposing stalactites.
It is a cave of 800sqm which has a large central hall and a 22m long sidewalk. It is divided into three chambers and the sanctuary. The access to the chambers takes place on a slope, while some areas of a small gothic decoration are observed.
The imposing Cave of Zeus, Dikteon Andros, is located above the village of Psychro, on the Lassithi Plateau, at an altitude of 1025m. In Pichro there is a comfortable parking area with many restaurants, from which two paths to the cave start and the climbing time is about 15 minutes. The easiest path is to the left, as the second (and older) stones are worn out by the thousands of tourists and glide. The path to the cave is wonderful, as the view to the plain of Lassithi is panoramic. If you do not want to walk, there are donkeys that carry visitors to the cave at a price. Next to the entrance of the cave there is a pavilion where you can buy tickets for the cave. The cave, which has an area of 2200 sqm, is adequately illuminated, while the paths within it are made from a well-formed path of 250m total length.
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Höhle des Zeus
The imposing Cave of Zeus, Dikteon Andros, is located above the village of Psychro, on the Lassithi Plateau, at an altitude of 1025m. In Pichro there is a comfortable parking area with many restaurants, from which two paths to the cave start and the climbing time is about 15 minutes. The easiest path is to the left, as the second (and older) stones are worn out by the thousands of tourists and glide. The path to the cave is wonderful, as the view to the plain of Lassithi is panoramic. If you do not want to walk, there are donkeys that carry visitors to the cave at a price. Next to the entrance of the cave there is a pavilion where you can buy tickets for the cave. The cave, which has an area of 2200 sqm, is adequately illuminated, while the paths within it are made from a well-formed path of 250m total length.
The centre of Minoan civilisation and capital of Minoan Crete lay 5km south of Heraklion.
Knossos flourished for approximately two thousand years. It had large palace buildings, extensive workshop installations and luxurious rock-cut cave and tholos tombs. As a major centre of trade and the economy, Knossos maintained ties with the majority of cities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
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Knossos
The centre of Minoan civilisation and capital of Minoan Crete lay 5km south of Heraklion.
Knossos flourished for approximately two thousand years. It had large palace buildings, extensive workshop installations and luxurious rock-cut cave and tholos tombs. As a major centre of trade and the economy, Knossos maintained ties with the majority of cities in the Eastern Mediterranean.