The Beauty of Crete

Crete is the largest Greek island and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea. The region of Chania or Hania on the western side of Crete is overshadowed by the incredible White Mountains and is popular for its National Park. The charming city of Chania will make you feel as if you have stepped back in time. It is a city where there is beauty all around and you want to wander through its streets. It is also a paradise for food and wine lovers. Here you can taste excellent Cretan wine and take tours of wineries.

The very heart of Chania is its Old Town. Here you can wander along narrow alleyways like in a labyrinthine and see many impressive buildings from different time periods. It is the perfect place for romantic strolls. The Old Town stretches along the Venetian Harbor from Firkas Fortress and the Maritime Museum to the Gate of Sand and on to the east of the arsenals. This particular part of town within Venetian walls also includes Byzantine Chania.

Rising above the Turkish mosque in the Venetian Harbor is Kastelli Hill. At one time this was the location of the acropolis of ancient Kydonia, the Minoan Chania. It is well worth it to take a walk along the modern Kanevaro Street and take a look at the mansions.

Behind the Municipal Market, you’ll find Chania’s main shopping street Skridlof or Skrydlof Street. At the point where Skridlof meets up with Halidon Street are the areas known as Stivanadika or “Bootmakers’ Shops”. Here you’ll find the traditional Cretan boots as well as leather goods and souvenirs. Traditional Cretan boots are known as “Stivania” and are the trademark of the Cretan male costume. These boots are tall, stiff, very durable, and usually are black and sometimes but rarely white.

From here you can get to Chania Cathedral dedicated to Panagia Trimartyri or Virgin of the Three Martyrs, the patron saint of Chania. This cathedral celebrates its feast day on November 21, the Feast of the Presentation of the Virgin. The central aisle is dedicated to the Virgin, then the north aisle to St. Nicholas, and the south aisle to the Three Hierarchs. The cathedral was built during the Venetian period.

Tourists enjoy exploring the Venetian Harbor area. Facing toward the sea to the right (east) of Eleftherios Venizelos Square is Kastelli Hill. You can also see the Turkish mosque and beyond that the shipyards where Venetians made repairs to their galleys. Toward the left is Firkas Fortress and the Maritime Museum.

In the summertime, people love to take romantic walks through the harbor and enjoy the view of the lighthouse, and stop to have a meal at one of the restaurants and ouzo shops. When the night comes there is a certain charm to the reflection of the lighthouse in the dark waters. There is a certain kind of magic to the Venetian Harbor. You’ll be invited to come into one of the tavernas. Since the waves have a way of washing over the quay in the wintertime many of the tavernas are shut. However, on the side past the Turkish mosque, the cafes and restaurants are untouched by the waves and remain open throughout the year. Even in the winter when the sun is out literally hundreds of people come here for the peace and quiet found at the harbor.

Heraklion

Heraklion the capital and fifth largest city in Crete is the birthplace of El Greco and Nikos Kazantzakis. It is a place where you can take a look into history and admire the beauty of the sea. There are wonderful Venetian mansions and plenty of Turkish fountains.

Tourists enjoy taking a trip to the huge Archaeological Museum which was once an old power station. It is located on one corner of Eleftherias Square. Here you can look at many items from different archeological sites in Crete. The museum spans periods dating back many thousands of years through the Minoan, post-Minoan, and later periods. Among the popular highlights are the Phaestos disc, classic Hellenic and Roman sculptures, frescoes, jewelry, wall paintings, and pottery. Lovely things can be found at the museum shop.

Traveling with or without children you’ll enjoy the new Aquarium – CretAquarium or Thallassocosmos. It is housed in a 5000 square meter building with a research center (housing the Institute of Marine Biology & Genetics and the Institute of Oceanography).

The aquarium has 32 tanks that represent fascinating underwater Cretan seascapes and there are 50 viewing points. Among the sea creatures to see here are 2500 organisms of 200 Mediterranean marine species from hunter sharks to lobsters to colorful jellyfish.

About 20 to 25 minutes from the center of Heraklion you’ll find the Palace of Knossos. This is a Minoan palace where you can get an idea of how the Minoans lived. There are guides who can provide you with details and history. It is an interesting place to explore.

Eleftherias Square has been reconstructed giving the center of Heraklion a more modern appearance. The square has some eucalyptus trees, is paved with marble, has some benches, and other decorations. Here is where you’ll find the Archaeological Museum and lots of cafes where to sit and relax.

In the center of the square is the statue of the Unknown Soldier. This statue is a work of art from the 20th century. On national days – March 25 and October 28 and on the anniversary of the Battle of Crete city authorities lay down wreaths here to honor those who gave their lives for liberty.

In the very heart of Heraklion, you’ll find Liondaria or Lion Square. This is a small square where people mingle around the Morosini or Lion Fountain. This decorated fountain has eight cisterns and is decorated with stone reliefs depicting figures from Greek mythology, Nymphs, Tritons, sea monsters, and dolphins. The main basin is supported by four sitting lions that balance a circular bowl upon their heads. This fountain was left by Francesco Morosini, the Italian governor, who had it built to commemorate Venetian success in being able to bring water, through a viaduct system from Mount Youchtas to the city center. There are plenty of places to eat in this square and enjoy food like souvlaki. On the far side of the square is Handakos Street. This pedestrian street is a wonderful place to stroll and shop.

Take a walk through the Agora, the Market Street where you can find a large selection of goods. This is the place to find clothing, herbs, fish, and even fresh meat. Shops here sell almost everything including Cretan music and the finest of cheeses. Take the time to explore the little side streets here and rest at the cafes.

At the top of the market, you’ll discover Kornarous Square and the lovely Venetian fountain, the Bembo Fountain which counts as the oldest, has some lovely decorations but is no longer in use.

It was built in 1588 by Venetian architect Zuanne Bembo. The fountain is decorated with columns and Venetian family coats-of-arms and has a headless male statue brought from Ierapetra. At one time people thought that this statue had supernatural powers and every May religious rituals were held here. The Plateia was named after Vitsenzos Kornaros, the composer of the epic poem Erotokritos. This poem is regularly performed all around Crete. From here it is a short distance to Agios Minas Cathedral.

There is a wide space with lots of activity going on right in front of Agios Minas Cathedral which has been dedicated to the Patron Saint of Heraklion. It is one of Greece’s largest churches and was created in a cruciform shape with twin towers. After suffering damage from various battles it took thirty years to rebuild it. The cathedral was inaugurated in 1896 with lavish celebrations.