Chania

"The mystery of Crete is very deep – whoever sets foot on this island, feels a mysterious warm and harmless power running through its veins, and his soul growing".
Nikos Kazantzakis, "Reference to El Greco"

Chania boasts a long history, having fallen in the hands of Arabs, Venetians and Turks. Consequently, the old city’s architecture was largely influenced by these three cultures.

The Gate and of the Sand (Sabbionara) – Κoum-Κapi

The northwestern corner of the Venetian walls is built into the sea and the coast’s rocks. There lies the second most important gate of the wall still in place today, bearing the name Sabbionara (that is "of the sand"), also adopted by the Turks who rendered it in their language as Koum-Kapi.

The Santa Lucia bastion

This bastion stands at the southeast corner of the Venetian wall. Together with its symmetric counterpaprt at the southwest corner (Sciavo) and their abutting structures (Cavallieri), it constituted the strongest fortification of the city.

The walls of the old town

Of the Venetian fortification, its east and west sides together with their respective ditches survive today in a relatively good condition. Out of necessity, the east and west side of the walls were opened up to facilitate the circulation of automobiles in the town, while a large part of the north side has been destroyed for the same reason.

Historical and Folklore Museum of Gavalochori

The museum was founded in 1967 and inauguarated in September 1993. It is housed in a building which is characteristic of the vernacular architecture that used to be developed in two levels.

Folklore Museum

The Folklore Museum of Chania was establihed on the initiative of Aspasia Bitaki and Irini Koumandraki.

Monastery of Aghia Triada of Tzagarolon

A Byzantine monastery built in 1612 by Lavrentios and Ieremias.

The Mosque of the Janissaries or of Kioutsouk Hassan Pascha

The Mosque of the Janissaries is located in the old harbor of Chania and is a peculiar sight. It was built by the Turks in 1645 and is noted for its dome and arches.

Archaeological Museum of Chania

The Archaeological Museum is housed in the Monastery of Frangiskanon Monachon since 1962 and is located on 30, Chalidon Str.

Aptera

Aptera, an ancient city built in the 7th century BC and one of the major Minoan city-states, is situated East of Chania.

The Aghia Sofia Cave

The Aghia Sofia Cave is located in Topolia, in western Crete.

Frangokastelo

A few kilometers from Sfakia lies Frangokastelo, a fort erected AD 1371 and still in very good condition.

Grambousa

A Venetian castle. In AD 1600 the Venetians chose the serene site of Grambousa to built a castle which in the course of its history changed hands several times.

The Samaria Gorge

The largest gorge in Europe extends along 18 km and offers a walking trail 14-km long. In 1962, it was declared a national park for the sake of protecting its flora and fauna. In 1980, it was awarded a prize by the European Council as one of the most beautiful sites on the continent.

Chrysoskalitissa

The Chrysoskalitissa Monastery situated 73 km from Chania was built during the period of the Venetian rule on the site of the old Monastery of Aghios Nikolaos.

Gavdos

Gavdos, the southernmost point of Europe, is an island lying 20 nautical miles from Crete and about 150 nautical miles from the coasts of Africa. Gavdos has sometimes been identified as the site of the mythical Ogygia where Calypso held Odysseus prisoner.

Sfakia

Chora Sfakion is set against a rugged landscape with gorges, ravines and high mountain peaks. The region of Sfakia, thanks to the gallantry and fierce independence of its inhabitants, as well as to its geographical position, was never fully taken over by foreign invaders. Sfakans are considered to be the genuine descendants of the Dorians.