Chania

The prefecture of Chania covers the western part of Crete and in recent years the number of visitors local and foreign increasing. Eastern border with Rethymno Prefecture, while the other sides surrounded by sea. Chania fall and the inhabited islands Gavdos and Gavdopoula, located about 20 miles south of the county, in the Aegean Sea.

The main cities of the prefecture are Chania, the capital of the prefecture, and Kastelli in Kissamos. The main towns are Paleohora and Kandanos in Selino, and Hora Sfakion in Sfakia. The prefecture of Chania offers tourism services and activities of all kinds, satisfying all the options.

The city of Chania preserves all the features, from the Venetian era even until today.

By the Venetian port of Chania and the lighthouse is the town’s landmark. One hardly encounters sites charged to such an extent by historical memories which unfold before our eyes with extraordinary mastery through the architecture of the buildings surrounding the Venetian harbor and carry scents from times past, synepairnontas you in a nostalgic sensations game amalgam East and West. While restaurants, cafes and bars today add to the charm of the harbor the necessary vitality notes and acquaintances comfort throughout the year. The Venetian harbor in Chania was constructed by the Venetians from 1320 until 1356. The port served trade and control of the Sea of ​​Crete to combat piracy.

On the north side is protected by a breakwater and in the middle of some there is a small rampart as emplacement and the church of Ag. Nikolaos. At this point executing convicts by the Venetians and the Turks. The fortress of Firka at the harbor entrance and the bastion of St. Nicholas in the middle of the breakwater protecting the harbor where the raid .The Venetian harbor today serves fishing boats and other small vessels, and commercial and passenger port of Chania is 7 km east bay Souda. Characteristic monument of the port is the lighthouse. It was built by the Venetians at the harbor entrance and renovated by the Egyptians (1830-1840) in its current form. The lighthouse at the Venetian harbor of Chania always charms city visitors and is one of the most canned monuments in Crete.

With the Municipal market is located in the center of Chania, to the point that today the heartbeat of the city, where Venetian was standing on the main bastion of the fortifications. By the mid and late 19th century this was the edge of the city. In this area were roughly established butchers, fishmongers, vegetable shops, inns etc. As we would say in modern terms, here was the outdoor street market where villagers brought their products to sell. The Municipal Market was launched in 1913 by Eleftherios Venizelos. It has cross shape and four doors, one on each wing, closed to provide security to the shops housed here. It houses 76 shops including butchers, fishmongers, pharmacy, grocery stores, etc. It is an architectural jewel of Chania and is one of the most impressive in the Balkans.

Opposite the town of Chania lies the small islet Thodorou where she hosted the famous Kri-Kri as various bird species rare in its kind, but many other species that are endangered.

Following the northern road to Rethymno and 15 km. From Chania is the ancient Aptera. Ancient Aptera was one of the most important in the ancient city – states of western Crete. Founded in the 7th century BC and completely destroyed in 823 AD by Saracen pirates, he unrolled a glorious course of centuries. The name assigned to Aptera or feathers, who was the founder and ruler of. According to another version named Aptera by the Sirens who made “Aptera and Leykai” after their defeat in the struggle with the Muses. Indeed it is believed that they fell into the sea and thus created the islands Leykai Souda Bay. The findings show that was inhabited from the Archaic period to the Byzantine period and developed significant commercial activity.

Archaeological excavations revealed a small sanctuary, probably dedicated to the goddess Demeter. yet discovered statues, inscriptions, tombstones and ceramics today adorn the showcases of the Archaeological Museum of Chania. You will still see the remains of space than a small theater, houses foundations, carved tombs -the Roman chronon- and large vaulted tanks, one of which very well preserved, is divided into three apartments. They were still in the area currencies that demonstrate the autonomy of the city.

South of Chania and particularly the province of Sfakia Frangokastello is a medieval castle located about 12 km east of Sfakia. It is one of the main attractions of the area and famous for the phenomenon known as Drosoulites, observed in the plains around the castle every year in late spring

Located about 7-10 km from the city of Chania and specifically Stis tourist areas Agia Marina and Platanias are several Club, mini Bar as well as sufficiently Beach bar giving visitors the opportunity to have fun until the early hours.

The Prefecture is characterized by the impressive “White Mountains” and the famous national park that occupies the largest part of the county. The National Forest White Mountains hugging the Samaria Gorge, the largest and most imposing of Greece. About seven hours is necessary to cross one, but switching to landscape and rare flora and fauna of the canyon compensate for the effort.

There are even other smaller gorges, which the visitor should explore the (Aradena, Agia Irini, Imvros and Polirrinia) and beautiful trails (Chrisoskalitissa-Elafonisi, Paleochora-Sougia, Agia Roumeli-Sfakia), which make the area Chania popular destination among ecotourists from around the world. An unknown wonder of nature hosts Elafonisi, magnificent cedar forest. For more action, and hiking in the White Mountains (there are 4 shelters), and the network of paths with E4 where they can cross it, but also to make climbing on vertical slopes of the gorges of Gigilos and Therisso or canoe in the Sector gorges and of soap!

The most beaches of Chania have fine sand and some pebbles are organized and the most known are the following: Gold Coast, Agia Marina, Agii Apostoli, Maleme, Kalathas, Stavros, Platanias, Kolimbari, Falasarna, Agia Roumeli, Sougia, Amoudi, Phoenix, Pebbles, Elafonisi, Bath, St. Paul, Pahia Ammos and Frangokastello Gavdos. Do not forget to visit Elafonisi and Balos which are universally known and have unique beaches with crystal clear water and dunes of white sand that will amaze you! The area because of its special environmental value has been included in the Natura network. Opposite the famous beach lies the islet.

The Prefecture also has many Temples and Monasteries with the most famous being the following: Gouverneto Monastery, Monastery of Agia Triada (Tsagarolon) Chrissopigi Monastery, Monastery of St. John the Baptist crows Monastery Chrysoskalitisa, and many, like English and German Cemetery at Maleme and waste respectively.

Not of course forget to mention the Museum of Chania is the Maritime Museum in fortress horror War Museum in Tzanakaki Street and the new Archaeological Museum which operates from this year in the historic district of Halepa in Chania

Cultural festivals are held throughout the year that strengthen the bond of Cretans in the past, much to the delight of locals and visitors who enjoy the Cretan fun! Local products figure prominently in the cultural life of Chania: Chestnut festival Elos, rosewater festival in Fournes, wine festival in Vouves. May celebrated impressive representation of the Battle of Crete, while the Agricultural August in Chania is an exhibition of local agricultural products and traditional handicrafts. In addition, numerous are the festivals, conferences and sporting events (Venizeleia) hosted Chania from May to September, most of them in the beautiful outdoor theater of Eastern Trench (in the east of the Old City).