Chania is a busy port in North West Crete. It used to be the capital of Crete until the 1970s, and has a long history dating from Neolithic times, and being occupied successively by the Byzantines, Romans, Venetians, the Byzantines again, the Turks, then part of the Independent Crete State in 1897 and absorbed into Greece only in 1913. Crete was occupied by the Germans for a couple of weeks during World War II, then liberated by the Allies. The Maritime Museum depicts this last era of history very movingly. The Museum is housed in the old Firkas fortress, from the roof of which the photo below was taken. The lighthouse between the battlements is actually on the other "arm" of the harbour. On these photos we will work our way around the harbour from the Firkas fortress to the tower, going right to left as you would see it from the sea. Then we will go inland. What a pity we only got to go to Chania twice - we could have spent the whole week exploring the sights.
First picture below: Standing on the ramparts of the Firkas Military Fort, built in 1629, at one "end" of the harbour where the Maritime Museum is, looking at the 16th-century Venetian lighthouse on the other "end" - seemingly only yards apart, but a mile or two to walk round inside the harbour.
Below: the Greek Orthodox cathedral in Chania.
Below: a fragmented panorama of the harbour area, starting from the Firkas Fort, or western, end, and working round east.
Below: This is where the panorama shots were taken from, the Hassan Pacha mosque, built by the Arabs during the Venetian period,, which is now used an a tourist office and exhibition centre.
Below is the Venetian 16th century lighthouse, taken not from in the water, but with a zoom lens!
Below, more ramparts of the Firkas Fort.
The long, paved walk round the inside of the harbour, lined with bars and shops, with streets leading off into shopping areas.
Halidon Street, the main street leading from one of the town squares to the port area. The Orthodox cathedral is halfway along this street.
Below, a typical shopping street leading away from the port. Part way down this one, just out of sight on the left, is the Kalh Kardia bar, more of which later.
Below, Leather Lane, one of the main shopping areas. There really are bargains to be had here. At the far end, not visible here, is a good music shop owned by Giorgios.
