CHANIA

CHANIA

Chania is a coastal city in northwestern Crete, which owns one of its most important ports and is the capital of the prefecture of Chania. The city of Chania occupies an area of approximately thirteen (13) square kilometers and is the second largest city on the island after Heraklion with a population of 54,559 inhabitants. A city with a mild Mediterranean climate that in recent decades has turned into a major tourist destination for international and domestic tourism, which has contributed to the flourishing of its economy and cultural development. It is the birthplace of the leader of the Cretan revolution of 1896-97 and former Prime Minister of Greece, Eleftherios Venizelos.

The city of Chania is divided into two main sections. The old town, with the old port, and the new town, outside the walls. The old town is built around the Venetian harbor and is surrounded by the Venetian fortifications of 1538, whose eastern and western parts have been preserved. The tourist heart of the city is located on the west side of Kastelli in Santrivani square (or El. Venizelos square). From there one can board boats that visit the Venetian castles on the islands of Ag. Theodoron and Gramvousa.

Chania is the location according to which the Minoans built "Kydonia". From excavations carried out in various districts, such as the one in Kasteli, it became known that the area was inhabited since the Neolithic era. The city became after the Minoan era an important city-state with borders from the sea to the foot of the White Mountains.