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34 EXPLORE / CRETE CHANIA CHANIA EXPLORE / CRETE 35

CHANIA

SPELLBINDING

TIMELESS BEAUTY

The vibrant, cosmopolitan destination of Chania offers visitors some of the most 1295607103.jpg
authentic and fulfilling experiences in Greece that are sure to be cherished forever.

BY SOPHIA McCONNELL

CINEMATIC BEAUTY define the border between the Byzantine era is also highly visi-
two, with the old town consist- ble, evident in Chania’s frescoed
With a history spanning over ing of five districts surrounding chapels and churches. Walking
four millennia, the stunning city the Venetian port. through the old town is a fa-
of Chania is one of the oldest Vestiges of the city’s past can scinating experience, To name
settlements in the world, which be seen in its dozens of Vene- just a few of the most impor-
has blossomed into a cosmo- tian and Ottoman buildings tant attractions, there’s the pic-
politan bucket-list entry that's and architectural details, with turesque Venetian port whose
celebrated as an alternative mosques, Turkish bathhous- 16th century lighthouse, sea-
to jet-set favorites Ibiza and es and beautiful mansions giv- walls and buildings have fea-
Mykonos. Once Crete’s capi- en a new lease of life by ongo- tured in many films, Firka For-
tal (from 1898 to 1971) and ing restoration works. Some of tress, Giali Tzami, the highly
hands down the island’s most the city’s old townhouses have interesting Maritime Museum
evocative urban area, Chania is been transformed into atmo- and Grand Arsenal, the old
split into the old and new city spheric restaurants and bou- Venetian shipyard which now 547490128.jpg
by ancient Venetian walls that tique hotels. Meanwhile, the houses the Centre of Mediterra-

Left: Snapping
a shot at the
lighthouse, at
the entrance
to the town's
harbor.
Right page, 715377034.jpg
from top: Bird's
eye view of
the fortress of
ancient Aptera,
a prominent
city-state from
the 3rd century
BC. Picturesque
alleys in Chania.
The entrance
and interior view
of the vibrant
Municipal
Market, where
fresh veggies,
fruit and more
are the order of
the day.

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