The former capital
Chania was formerly the capital of Crete and is now the second largest city on the island with around 82.000 inhabitants. The harbor promenade is one of the most beautiful in Greece, with picturesque cafes and restaurants lined up.
Its old town is characterized by Venetian buildings, and the port district is reminiscent of the glamorous times of Chania as a port metropolis. The Venetians surrounded the city in 1537 with a wall as protection against the Turks, who, however, were the first to take the place in Crete as early as 1645. Chania got a strong Turkish character and an oriental flair.
After the liberation from the Turks in 1898, Chania became the capital of the autonomous Cretan state. The Chania market hall was built in 1908 based on a model of the Marseille market hall in the Venetian style. It has the shape of a Greek cross. The modern cityscape reveals Chania's past as the capital.
Even today, the former diplomatic quarter in the east of the city with its villas and well-tended gardens is the most elegant residential area. Many homes have been saved from deterioration in recent years. Chania presents itself today with an almost intact cityscape and makes a longer stay definitely worthwhile.
