Ancient Kydonia
Minoan Kydonia developed on Kastelli Hill, beneath the present-day old town of Chania. It was one of the most important urban, administrative and commercial centres of western Crete during the Minoan and Mycenaean periods.
Old Town of Chania
The Old Town of Chania is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved historic centres in the Mediterranean.
Despite the damage and rebuilding it has seen over the centuries, the Old Town of Chania has retained much of its historic character. Its historic core grew within the Venetian Walls, around Kastelli Hill and the Old Venetian Harbour.
Its picturesque lanes, small squares and historic neighbourhoods preserve monuments and architectural features from many different periods of Cretan history. Minoan remains, Byzantine fortifications, Venetian mansions, shipyards and churches stand alongside Ottoman mosques and hammams, as well as more recent Neoclassical buildings.
From Kastelli, a walk west takes you into the lanes of Topanas and the Jewish Quarter, where the Etz Hayyim Synagogue survives on Kondylaki Street. To the east, the square with its large plane tree is a landmark of Splantzia. In these quarters, old buildings still house homes, workshops, small hotels, cafés and tavernas.
Byzantine Wall of Chania
This fortress was originally built by the Byzantines on the acropolis of ancient Cydonia, on a hill next to the present medieval City of Chania. This point is still the highest in the region, as you look at the right when walking to the Venetian harbor.
