Ieronimakis Theo. Maragkoudakis Fr. Kalogeraki Alk. Migiakhs Mic. THE VENETIAN HARBOUR OF CHANIA The Venetian harbour of chania is a real ornament for

Ieronimakis Theo. Maragkoudakis FIeronimakis Theo. Maragkoudakis Fr. Kalogeraki Alk. Migiakhs Mic.r. Kalogeraki Alk. Migiakhs Mic.

THE VENETIAN HARBOUR OF CHANIATHE VENETIAN HARBOUR OF CHANIAThe Venetian harbour of chania is a real ornament for the town and The Venetian harbour of chania is a real ornament for the town and impress all the visitors. It was built from Venetians to protect the impress all the visitors. It was built from Venetians to protect the town from piratical descents. It is said that the construction that town from piratical descents. It is said that the construction that started about 1320,persisted almost 300 years! Approximately in started about 1320,persisted almost 300 years! Approximately in

1526 Venetians started to expand the already existing shipyards, that 1526 Venetians started to expand the already existing shipyards, that they subserve for storage and place of fixing ships. From 17 shipyards they subserve for storage and place of fixing ships. From 17 shipyards that existed, today we have only 7 of them, most of them are being that existed, today we have only 7 of them, most of them are being

used for manifestations. The Venetian harbour has lost its old used for manifestations. The Venetian harbour has lost its old glamour. Today it is used only for trawlers and fishing boats. At the glamour. Today it is used only for trawlers and fishing boats. At the

coastland work lots of clubs and restaurants.coastland work lots of clubs and restaurants.


The Venetian Lighthouse at Chania.The Venetian Lighthouse at Chania.

This magnificent lighthouse was first built by the Venetians This magnificent lighthouse was first built by the Venetians in 1570. The present one owes its origins to the Egyptians in 1570. The present one owes its origins to the Egyptians who built upon the original base that the Venetians left who built upon the original base that the Venetians left behind. The lighthouse is made of stone blocks.behind. The lighthouse is made of stone blocks.

The lighthouse had undergone several renovation with the The lighthouse had undergone several renovation with the most recent one completed in 2006. As of today, it looks as most recent one completed in 2006. As of today, it looks as good as new. The lighthouse makes for an awesome sight good as new. The lighthouse makes for an awesome sight especially when it is lit up at night. The spotlights start especially when it is lit up at night. The spotlights start emitting light once darkness envelops the city of Chania and emitting light once darkness envelops the city of Chania and from a distance, it makes for a truly kaleidoscopic vignette.from a distance, it makes for a truly kaleidoscopic vignette.


The The Maritime Maritime MuseumMuseum ofof CreteCrete is housed in the Firkas fortress today. is housed in the Firkas fortress today.

The The UnionUnion ofof CreteCrete withwith GreeceGreece in 1913 was celebrated at Firkas in 1913 was celebrated at Firkas Fortress. The Turkish flag was hauled down for the last time and the Fortress. The Turkish flag was hauled down for the last time and the blue-and-white flag of Greece raised in its place, where it has waved blue-and-white flag of Greece raised in its place, where it has waved proudly ever since. proudly ever since.

Firkas Fortress has a panoramic view of the Venetian harbour of Firkas Fortress has a panoramic view of the Venetian harbour of Chania, and offers a great photo opportunity.Chania, and offers a great photo opportunity.

Until the previous century, under Firkas Fortress was the “Kerkelos”, Until the previous century, under Firkas Fortress was the “Kerkelos”, the great iron ring to which one end of the chain closing off the the great iron ring to which one end of the chain closing off the harbour mouth was attached. The other end was attached to the harbour mouth was attached. The other end was attached to the lighthouse.lighthouse.

The The Firkas FortressFirkas Fortress was was constructed in 1629 in constructed in 1629 in Chania to protect the Chania to protect the VeVe-- netian harbour netian harbour entranceentrance from raiders. from raiders. “Firka” in Turkish “Firka” in Turkish means a means a military division, and military division, and the the building was used as building was used as the the barracks of the barracks of the TurkishTurkish army army in Chania.in Chania.


The Municipal Market of Chania, the large building of 4000 square meters in The Municipal Market of Chania, the large building of 4000 square meters in a surrounding area of 17.200 square meters, is the "heart" of the city. It is an a surrounding area of 17.200 square meters, is the "heart" of the city. It is an original building that, apart from a business activity center, also provides a original building that, apart from a business activity center, also provides a concrete image of the ancient Greek marketplace. concrete image of the ancient Greek marketplace.

The design and construction of the Municipal Market was a time-consuming The design and construction of the Municipal Market was a time-consuming procedure that started in 1908 and was completed in 1913, the year when procedure that started in 1908 and was completed in 1913, the year when Crete was united with Greece. The official opening ceremony was performed Crete was united with Greece. The official opening ceremony was performed by the Prime Minister of Greece, the notorious Elftherios Venizelos, three by the Prime Minister of Greece, the notorious Elftherios Venizelos, three days after the unification of Crete with Greece, on December 4, 1913. days after the unification of Crete with Greece, on December 4, 1913.

In general, on the eastern and western part of the market there were butcher In general, on the eastern and western part of the market there were butcher shops, on the end of the west arcade there were the fish shops and on the shops, on the end of the west arcade there were the fish shops and on the north and south ends there were the fruit and vegetables shops. Few days north and south ends there were the fruit and vegetables shops. Few days before the Battle of Crete, on May 1941, a bombing shelter was constructed before the Battle of Crete, on May 1941, a bombing shelter was constructed on the southeast part of the marketIn 1980, the Municipal Market of Chania on the southeast part of the marketIn 1980, the Municipal Market of Chania was declared a protected monument by the Ministry of Culture. was declared a protected monument by the Ministry of Culture.


Eleftherios Venizelos was a Cretan statesman who Eleftherios Venizelos was a Cretan statesman who fought for independence from the Turks and later for fought for independence from the Turks and later for union with Greece. He was prime minister of Greece union with Greece. He was prime minister of Greece several timesseveral times and when he died he was byried in this and when he died he was byried in this location.location.From this site in 1897, Cretan revolutionaries From this site in 1897, Cretan revolutionaries raised the Greek flag to symbolize their demand for raised the Greek flag to symbolize their demand for union with Greece.From this location, the view of union with Greece.From this location, the view of Chania is quite outstanding, especially at sunset. The Chania is quite outstanding, especially at sunset. The gardens around the graves and the small church of the gardens around the graves and the small church of the Profitis Ilias are a popular site for baptisms and Profitis Ilias are a popular site for baptisms and weddings during the summer months. weddings during the summer months.


The Samaria Gorge is in west Crete, in the White Mountains. It is the longest gorge in Europe, with a length of 18 kilometres.

Samaria or the Samaria Gorge is one of the main

sights of Crete.The locals call it the

“Farangas” or “Great Gorge”, both in admiration at its

beauty and to differentiate it from the many other, smaller

gorges of Crete.

The gorge starts at Xyloskalo (1227 m. above sea level) on the Omalos Plateau and runs down to the seaside village of Agia Roumeli on the south coast of Crete.


Samaria Gorge, Flora and Fauna

The Samaria National Park is exceptionally rich in plant and animal life. In the gorge you will find unique species protected under international law.

It is said that there are 450 plant species in the gorge, and not a single flower may be removed from Samaria, by law. Don’t see this as a pointlessly strict rule, but as the only way to protect the delicate ecosystem of Samaria so that thousands of visitors can continue to enjoy it each year.

In Samaria you can admire the forests of huge pine and cypress trees, a picture from Crete’s past, when the island was covered by forests famous for their timber, ideal for building strong ships.

Inside the gorge you may even meet its famous inhabitants, the wild goats of Crete, which the locals call “agrimia” and tourists call “kri-kri”.

The Cretan wild goat is endemic to Crete and you will probably see some in the village of Samaria, as they often approach the houses at the edge of the village.


The Samaria village The Samaria village

A little further down from the village is the 14th-century church of Osia Maria (Holy Mary), from which the name “Samaria” is derived.

Samaria is an old village whose inhabitants were relocated in 1962 when the gorge was declared a national park. The old houses still exist and

they serve as houses for the guards. The village is a good opportunity to see the traditional architecture and rest for a while. When you get to this point you are almost halfway and the time is perfect for a sandwich (if you are carrying any with you).


Samaria gorge hiking, tips Samaria gorge hiking, tips and equipmentand equipment

ΤΤhe Samaria footpath is very well he Samaria footpath is very well signposted all along its length and is signposted all along its length and is thought to be the most-walked footpath in thought to be the most-walked footpath in the whole of Greece (the second is the the whole of Greece (the second is the Mount Olympus path). Mount Olympus path).

It is impossible to get lost, as you are It is impossible to get lost, as you are always moving in a stream of people. always moving in a stream of people. There are drinking water springs and There are drinking water springs and toilets at various points.toilets at various points.

Samaria is not a simple stroll for those unused to walking. The most tiring part of the walk is the last 3 kmbefore the exit from the National Park. Here there is often another

ticket control to make sure no-one is left in the gorge overnight, either because they have had an accident or because they want to.The landscape at the exit from the gorge is dry and arid with no shade. If you have started your walk in the early morning, you will reach this point in the early afternoon, when the heat of the day is more obvious.


Fragokastelo SfakionFragokastelo Sfakion,,This village in the south of Crete, 16 kilometers This village in the south of Crete, 16 kilometers east of Chora Sfakion, is the Venetian fort "Fraggokastello", an imposing east of Chora Sfakion, is the Venetian fort "Fraggokastello", an imposing fortress dominating the sea. The four towers and the Saint Markos Lion fortress dominating the sea. The four towers and the Saint Markos Lion still subsist. still subsist. There, an amazing spectacle awaits you, if you are on the right place the There, an amazing spectacle awaits you, if you are on the right place the right time. right time. During the war of independence, 650 Cretans held Fraggokastello, until During the war of independence, 650 Cretans held Fraggokastello, until 8000 Turkish troops arrived to force them out. The Turks took the fort, and 8000 Turkish troops arrived to force them out. The Turks took the fort, and all the defenders were killed. This event, the Massacre of Fraggokastello, all the defenders were killed. This event, the Massacre of Fraggokastello, has given rise to the following ghost story.has given rise to the following ghost story.For a very strange reason, probably meteorological, around mid-May, a For a very strange reason, probably meteorological, around mid-May, a mysterious mist arises at dawn around the fortress, and one can see the mysterious mist arises at dawn around the fortress, and one can see the phantoms of the Cretan warriors, fully armed, marching silently towards phantoms of the Cretan warriors, fully armed, marching silently towards the fortress and then disappear into the sea. These are the famous the fortress and then disappear into the sea. These are the famous Drosoulites, the dew shades, still ready to fight against the enemy.Drosoulites, the dew shades, still ready to fight against the enemy.Is dominated by a 14th century Venetian castle (1371), of which only the Is dominated by a 14th century Venetian castle (1371), of which only the outside walls remain, with a tower on each corner . The biggest tower in outside walls remain, with a tower on each corner . The biggest tower in the south west corner was a waiting house for the main gatethe south west corner was a waiting house for the main gate


Beaches in ChaniaBeaches in Chania

Platanias 10 km westwards of the town of Chania10 km westwards of the town of ChaniaThe splendid sandy beach of Platanias and The splendid sandy beach of Platanias and

its aquamarine waters make it one of the its aquamarine waters make it one of the busiest resorts westwards of the town of busiest resorts westwards of the town of Chania. The beach is extended for kilome-Chania. The beach is extended for kilome-tres round the homonym village. The tres round the homonym village. The visitorvisitor has the chance to view an enchanting has the chance to view an enchanting setting with the island of Agios Theodoros setting with the island of Agios Theodoros in the east and the peninsula Rodopou in in the east and the peninsula Rodopou in the west. Certain parts of the beach are the west. Certain parts of the beach are particular organised and deck chairs and particular organised and deck chairs and umbrellas are available, but in the bigger umbrellas are available, but in the bigger part the beach of Platanias is unexploited.part the beach of Platanias is unexploited.


Agia MarinaAgia Marina

About 5 km westwards of the town of Chania. Along the splendid way to Kolympari, here one will meet the first from a line of beaches with sand and pebbles the region allocates. Near the peaceful beach of Agia Marina there are enough hotels, suitable to offer pleasant stay in families.


Maleme Maleme About 18 km westwards of About 18 km westwards of

the town of Chania the town of Chania The beach of Maleme The beach of Maleme constitutes the extension of constitutes the extension of Platanias. The fact that it is Platanias. The fact that it is not as equally busy and not as equally busy and popular as its neighbouring popular as its neighbouring beach, it does not mean beach, it does not mean that it is deprived beauty. that it is deprived beauty. The landscape is very The landscape is very picturesque, and allocates picturesque, and allocates big surfaces of sandy big surfaces of sandy beach and clear waters.beach and clear waters.


Almyrida Almyrida

About 15 km About 15 km westwards of the westwards of the town of Chaniatown of ChaniaThe beach of the The beach of the homonym resort, homonym resort, Almyrida is sandy Almyrida is sandy and is surrounded by and is surrounded by pinewood. Suitable pinewood. Suitable mainly for families.mainly for families.


ElafonissiElafonissi In south-western point of the prefecture of In south-western point of the prefecture of

Chania. Chania. The most remote beach from the town of The most remote beach from the town of Chania, which is however worth the the Chania, which is however worth the the long journey you have to make in order to long journey you have to make in order to reach it. It is an islet almost connected reach it. It is an islet almost connected with the coast since it abstains only 100m. with the coast since it abstains only 100m. from the beach and one can approach it from the beach and one can approach it by walking in the sea. Elafonisi abstains by walking in the sea. Elafonisi abstains 76 km from Chania and 43 from Kasteli. 76 km from Chania and 43 from Kasteli. Visitors come here in order to admire the Visitors come here in order to admire the astonishing sandy beaches with the dunes astonishing sandy beaches with the dunes and the white sand and swim in the and the white sand and swim in the unique crystal waters. Even if the natural unique crystal waters. Even if the natural beauty attracts abundant visitors the beauty attracts abundant visitors the region does not allocate developed tourist region does not allocate developed tourist facilities. Elafonisi is one of the most facilities. Elafonisi is one of the most popular beaches in Cretepopular beaches in Crete


Falasarna Falasarna

About 75 km westwards of About 75 km westwards of the town of Chania, in the the town of Chania, in the western coast of Crete. western coast of Crete. One of the most popular One of the most popular destinations of Crete, destinations of Crete, Falasarna is a line of Falasarna is a line of sandy beaches with deep sandy beaches with deep blue waters. Near the blue waters. Near the beach there is only a beach there is only a certain number of rented certain number of rented rooms and thus the region rooms and thus the region is not very crowded. There is not very crowded. There is a regular daily bus is a regular daily bus service from the town of service from the town of Chania to Falasarna. Chania to Falasarna.


Fragokastelo Fragokastelo In the south-eastern corner of the In the south-eastern corner of the

prefecture of Chania, about 65 km from prefecture of Chania, about 65 km from the town of Chaniathe town of ChaniaOne of the the most famous and popular One of the the most famous and popular localities of the prefecture of Chania, localities of the prefecture of Chania, Fragokastelo is located about 15 km Fragokastelo is located about 15 km easternly of Chora Sfakion. Fragokastelo easternly of Chora Sfakion. Fragokastelo has written golden pages in the History has written golden pages in the History of Crete. In 1828, in the duration of of Crete. In 1828, in the duration of Cretan revolt against the Ottoman Cretan revolt against the Ottoman sovereignty of the island, Turkish troops sovereignty of the island, Turkish troops slaughtered more than 600 Cretan slaughtered more than 600 Cretan warriors that had found shelter in the warriors that had found shelter in the castle. From then, according to the castle. From then, according to the legend, in anniversary of slaughter, the legend, in anniversary of slaughter, the ghosts of dead warriors, Drosoulites, as ghosts of dead warriors, Drosoulites, as they are called, are raised by the they are called, are raised by the adjacent cemetery, manned as then, and adjacent cemetery, manned as then, and they shape a procession that passes they shape a procession that passes through the castle and leads in to the seathrough the castle and leads in to the sea


GiorgioupoliGiorgioupoli About 25 km easternly About 25 km easternly

of the town of Chaniaof the town of ChaniaA sandy beach with A sandy beach with clear, cold waters that is clear, cold waters that is extended for more than extended for more than 10 km, Giorgioupoli is 10 km, Giorgioupoli is also one of the most also one of the most popular resorts of the popular resorts of the prefecture of Chania. prefecture of Chania. Here one can find Here one can find familial hotels and all familial hotels and all the comforts and the comforts and services are provided.services are provided.


Palaiohora Palaiohora About 70 km southly-western About 70 km southly-western

of the town of Chania of the town of Chania Palaiohora is one of the busiest Palaiohora is one of the busiest seasonal resorts of the seasonal resorts of the prefecture of Chania and it is prefecture of Chania and it is located on a small peninsula, located on a small peninsula, having the privilege to allocate having the privilege to allocate beaches and in the two sides. beaches and in the two sides. The sandy beaches extend for The sandy beaches extend for hundreds metres and are hundreds metres and are provided a variety of services provided a variety of services and facilities, aand facilities, a well as well as luxurious hotels and rented luxurious hotels and rented rooms. The beaches westwards rooms. The beaches westwards the town are even better.the town are even better.

Kalogeraki Alk. Ieronimakis Th. MarKalogeraki Alk. Ieronimakis Th. Maragkoudakis Fr. Migiakis Mic.agkoudakis Fr. Migiakis Mic.

Beach of the town of Chania Beach of the town of Chania Nea HoraThe beach of the town of Chania, contrary to the beaches of other Cretan towns, is not so much appreciable, even if the waters are clear. It is found westwards the Venetian harbour and abstains a few only metres from the old town. It is organised, it allocates deck chairs and umbrellas and constitutes a pleasant and cool break mainly for the local, after the work of a day.

StalosThe first coastal resort that one meets westwards the town of Chania, Stalos is a typical tourist resort, with bars, hotels, renting cars services and currency exchange offices. The beach is sandy, clean and it extends for many kilometres.


Kasteli Kissamos Kasteli Kissamos

Gramvousa BalosGramvousa BalosAbout 60 km from the town of About 60 km from the town of Chania Chania In the astonishing gulf of Kissamos, In the astonishing gulf of Kissamos, this region is characterized as a this region is characterized as a unique natural beauty, as it is unique natural beauty, as it is delimitated by the two peninsulas of delimitated by the two peninsulas of western Crete. Kasteli is not a tourist western Crete. Kasteli is not a tourist resort, but is a peaceful coastal town resort, but is a peaceful coastal town and the beach with the pebbles in and the beach with the pebbles in combination with the coastal taverns combination with the coastal taverns constitutes pleasant bypass if you constitutes pleasant bypass if you head to the western coast of the head to the western coast of the island. island.


KolympariKolympari

About 45 km westwards of About 45 km westwards of the town of Chaniathe town of ChaniaSplendid, clean beach with Splendid, clean beach with pebbles and deep blue pebbles and deep blue waters, in the tourist waters, in the tourist resort of Kolympari, that is resort of Kolympari, that is the last point in the line the last point in the line from the resorts and the from the resorts and the beaches that are beaches that are extended westwards the extended westwards the town of town of


Sfinari Sfinari About 70 km westwards About 70 km westwards

the town of Chania the town of Chania In the enchanting and In the enchanting and fascinating western coast fascinating western coast of the prefecture of of the prefecture of Chania, Sfinari is a coastal Chania, Sfinari is a coastal village. There one can find village. There one can find rented rooms, a few rented rooms, a few taverns, and beautiful taverns, and beautiful bays with pebbles. Most bays with pebbles. Most visitors that visit Sfinari visitors that visit Sfinari come for the peacefulness come for the peacefulness and the natural beautyand the natural beauty


Sougia Sougia In the southern coast of Chania, In the southern coast of Chania,

between Palaiohora and Agia between Palaiohora and Agia RoumeliRoumeliA pleasant and beautiful coastal A pleasant and beautiful coastal village, Sougia is in the end of village, Sougia is in the end of an unforgettable way through an unforgettable way through the southern ending of White the southern ending of White Mount, or at straight line from Mount, or at straight line from the city of Chania or via Hora the city of Chania or via Hora Sfakion. It allocates a few, small Sfakion. It allocates a few, small hotels and fish taverns that in hotels and fish taverns that in combination with the sandy combination with the sandy beaches make Sougia one of the beaches make Sougia one of the most splendid destinations in most splendid destinations in the southern coast of Crete the southern coast of Crete worth visiting. The astonishing worth visiting. The astonishing way to Sougia, through the way to Sougia, through the mountains, is one of the most mountains, is one of the most important reasons for one to important reasons for one to visit. visit.


Tavronitis Tavronitis About 25 km About 25 km

westwards of the westwards of the town of one more town of one more beach that is beach that is extended westwards extended westwards Chania, the beach of Chania, the beach of Tayronitis is found Tayronitis is found in the estuary of a in the estuary of a small river and it is small river and it is relatively isolated relatively isolated and quiet, without a and quiet, without a lot of services lot of services provided. provided.


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Ieronimakis Theo. Maragkoudakis Fr. Kalogeraki Alk. Migiakhs Mic. THE VENETIAN HARBOUR OF CHANIA The Venetian harbour of chania is a real ornament for