Page 52 - ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL 2022

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What Not to Miss in Chania

Celebrating Crete
Every summer, “Giortes Rokkas” in Crete tell a unique story.
The story of a place that takes us on a journey of August scented
events that once you experience, you can never forget. Rokka is
a semi-mountainous village, with approximately 30 permanent
residents, in western Crete. In the archaeological region of
Rokka and the acropolis Troulli, one can still see the signs
of the ancient settlement, such as the houses, the paths, the
water tanks as well as the byzantine fortress that loomed on the
hill. The amphitheatrical view of Rokka, the natural beauty of
the gorge and the energy of the surrounding rocks make this
archaeological area an outstanding setting!

Aroma from East
A melting pot of cultures, Chania has embraced many elements
from the East through centuries. Its history proves that co-
existence is a vital and achievable way of life. The most typical
paradigm stands at the Turkish quarter. It refers to the area of
Chania city encircling the busy Splantzia Square, nowadays
equally popular to visitors and locals of this city. Officially the
square is now named 1821 Square following the Greek Revolution,
however locals refer to it as Splantzia, a Venetian withstanding
name, to describe the neighborhood which housed the residences
of the prominent Turks during the Ottoman occupation, where
one can see the discreet reminiscences of that time.

Village of Crafts
You may think of it like the small village of Asterix standing
invincible through time with the mission to revive the
traditional crafts. Verekinthos is a village 8 km distance from
the city center of Chania. It was built in 1999 after 15 years
of efforts of the official association of artists and craftsmen of
Chania, in synergy with the National Organisation of Support
Low-Middle Processing Businesses and EU. Nowadays, this
innovative idea is the gathering place for artists and art lovers
of ceramics, silverware, sculpture, glass making, painting,
leather, sewing, fabric and textile applications, wood working
and traditional musical instruments. (verekinthos.com)

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