Old town, Chania

Discover the Timeless Charm of Old Town Chania, Crete

Welcome to the heart and soul of Chania, where history whispers through cobblestone alleyways and Venetian architecture stands as a testament to the city’s rich past. Step into the enchanting world of Old Town Chania, where every corner reveals a story waiting to be uncovered.

Splantzia – Chatzmichali Daliani

Municipal Market

The Shipyards

Chania Sailing Club

Splantzia – Chatzmichali Daliani (Minaret)

Splantzia used to be the Turkish neighbourhood of Chania. Its picturesque alleys constitute an almost “no driving zone”. Several Turkish buildings have been preserved, many of which restored. The Monastery of Saint Nicholas stands in the beautiful Splantzia Square too,

today’s homonymous Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas (it is the only church in Greece with a bell tower on the left, and a minaret on the right).

The Square was once a recreation place, where there used to be pavilions of the Arabic order, a Turkish fountain and three sycamores, two of which were cut down at the beginning of the 20th century – the biggest sycamore has been preserved to date. South of the church of Saint Nicholas is the two-aisled vaulted Orthodox Church of Saint Catherine, of characteristic Renaissance architecture. It was used as

a bakery until recently. In the neighbourhood of Splantzia, on Rougha square, in Kallinikou Sarpaki Street, is the oneaisled Orthodox Church

of Saint Irene, which was newly discovered. South of Splantzia square is the neighbourhood of Aghioi Anarghiroi, where the homonymousOrthodox two-aisled church stands.

It was a Metropolitan Church until the erection of the Trimartiri. The church of Saint Rocco, patron saint of the sick, protector of the city against the plague, stands in Daskalogianni Street. Its façades bear Latin inscriptions, with the year 1630 carved in. It is a oneaisled church, north of which there is a chapel without chancel apse, with many architectural influences from the Italian Renaissance evident in its

proportions and unadorned forms.

Under the shade of the sycamore dominating

Splantzia square today, the visitor will have the opportunity to enjoy

the atmospheric cafés of the city and, in the famous much-frequented

Hatjimichali Daliani Street with the locals’ favourite hangouts, they

will also discover characteristic cafés and restaurants. Aga Camisi’s

minaret has been preserved here, and many Venetian and Ottoman

buildings have been restored and house very attractive cafés, bars,

bistros, mèzè shops, and restaurants serving traditional and

Mediterranean dishes. It is one of the most appealing corners of

Chania.

Municipal Market

For its erection, the central bastion of the city walls was demolished and the trench was filled in with rubble. C. Drandakis made the study for its construction. The market was founded on 14th April 1911 during the mayoralty of Manolis Mountakis and was inaugurated by Eleftherios Venizelos on 4th December 1913 as part of the celebration that took place to commemorate the unification of Crete with Greece. It has the shape of a cross with doors at each end. In its inner quarters are the food stores. It is considered one of the most important markets in the Balkans.

The Shipyards

As a consequence of the rising Turkish threat, the Venetian navy was reinforced and shipyards constructed in 1526 and completed in 1599, for the maintenance of the naval fleet that was at anchor in the harbour of Chania. The northern part of the shipyards opened to the sea, whilst the southern part was closed and had a small door, two rectangular windows and a round window spanned by archways.

Southwards, the gate and the shipyards were connected by a Venetian gateway that was destroyed in the middle of the 20th century.

During the Turkish Domination, the shipyards were neglected and

started falling into disrepair. Out of the 17 shipyards that

originally existed, only 7 are still standing today, with various

alterations such as the closing of the northern part and new

partitions that have been adapted for contemporary use.

Giali Tzamisi

On the bank of the Old Harbour stands a unique mosque among those that have been preserved, the mosque of Hassan Pasha or Giali Tzamisi (i.e. glass mosque), of characteristic Ottoman architecture, with a big central dome and four smaller ones. In the south-western corner is the base of a minaret and, inside, in the south-eastern corner, the “mihrap” (sanctuary). Today the mosque houses exhibitions and cultural events.

Chania Sailing Club

A great choice to enjoy your coffee one morning and have breakfast as it is 5min walking from the house!Chania Sailing Club was founded in 1990 with the aim of developing, supporting and informing about Sailing in Hania, Crete. Recognized by the General Sports Secretary and member of the Hellenic Sailing Federation, it has been active through 45 Open Sea Sailing Courses, the Triangle course, the J24 course, seminars, Sailing Races and Cultural Events. Neorio Moro (neorio=shipyard), the home of Chania Sailing Club at the Venetian Harbour, is functional and at the same time aesthetically exceptional, a very imposing building at a key geographic spot, with endless potential and countless symbolisms.

Along with the athletic events, it also houses exhibitions, book presentations, performances, installations, lectures, seminars, film screenings, concerts.

Old town, Chania

Splantzia – Chatzmichali Daliani (Minaret)

Municipal Market

The Shipyards

Giali Tzamisi

Chania Sailing Club

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