The municipality has 111,375 inhabitants (2021). This consists of the city of Chania and several nearby areas, includingKounoupidiana,Mournies,Souda,Nerokouros, Daratsos, Perivolia, Galatas and Aroni.
Chania was the site of aMinoan settlement, known fromLinear B tablets fromKnossos as having been namedKu-do-ni-ja (Mycenaean Greek:𐀓𐀈𐀛𐀊). The subsequent Greek settlement was likewise known asCydonia (Ancient Greek:Κυδωνία,Kydōnía), ultimately the source of the English word "quince".
Some notablearchaeological evidence for the existence of this Minoan city below some parts of today's Chania was found by excavations[3] in the district of Kasteli in the Old Town. This area appears to have been inhabited since theNeolithic Age.[4]
Cydonia reemerged after the end of the Minoan period as an importantcity-state inClassical Greece, one whose domain extended from Chania Bay to the feet of theWhite Mountains. The first major wave of settlers from mainlandGreece was by theDorians who came around1100 BC. Cydonia was constantly at war with other Cretan city-states such asAptera,Phalasarna, and Polyrrinia and was important enough for the Cydonians to be mentioned inHomer'sOdyssey.[5][6] In69 BC, theRoman consulQ. Caecilius Metellus defeated theCretans and conquered Cydonia, to which he granted the privileges of an independent city-state.[citation needed]
Cydonia was not well documented inlate antiquity or in the early medieval period, when it was first ruled by theByzantine Empire (395–824) and then by theEmirate of Crete (824–961). The Arabs seem to have begun calling the settlemental-Ḵān (Arabic:الخان), literally "theCaravanserai" or "Inn" but possibly transcribing the name of a neighborhood previously devoted to the worship of theMinoan godWelchanos.[7] The city had become known as Chania in Greek by the time of the second period of Byzantine rule (961–1204). In order to deter another Arab invasion, the Byzantines strongly fortified the city, reusing materials from ancient buildings in the area. Chania was the seat of aByzantine bishopric, which became theRoman Catholic Diocese of La Canea under Venetian rule and then the Latin titular see of Cydonia.[4]
In total, about 10,000 Venetians are estimated to have moved to Crete during the first century of Venetian rule—by comparison, Venice itself had a population ofc. 60,000 at this period.[9] The colonization wave of 1252 also resulted in the establishment of Canea (modernChania), on the site of the long abandoned ancient city ofKydonia.[9]
The Venetian rule was initially strict and oppressive but slowly the relations between the two parts improved. Contact withVenice led to close intertwining ofCretan and Venetian cultures, without, however, the Cretans losing theirGreek Orthodox nature.Its fortifications were strengthened, giving Chania the form that it still has today. On the other hand, after the fall ofConstantinople in 1453, many priests, monks and artists took refuge in Crete and reinforced theByzantine religion and culture on the island. The city of Canea during the period that followed was a blend of Byzantine, Venetian, and Classical Greek cultural elements. Many of the important buildings of the town were built during this era and the intellectual activities (written word, music, education) were also promoted.[4]
During the opening months of theCretan War (1645–1669) the city's walls did not prevent anOttoman army from capturing it from the Venetians after a two-month siege. Many Cretans fled to escape persecution, many others were slaughtered or converted to Islam.[10]
Under theOttoman Turkish nameHanya (خانیه), Muslims resided mainly in the eastern quarters, Kastelli and Splantzia, where they converted theDominicanchurch of St Nicholas into the central Sovereign's Mosque (Turkish:Hünkar Camısı).[10] They also built new mosques such as theKüçük Hasan Pasha Mosque or Yali Mosque on the harbour.[10] Public baths (hamam), and fountains were a feature of the Ottoman city.[10] Thepasha of Crete resided in Hanya.[10]
The city remained under Ottoman control despite fighting during theGreek War of Independence (1821-29), theCretan Revolt (1866–1869) and theCretan Revolt (1878). Due to the island's mixture of Muslim and Christian residents, Crete was the subject of international debate between the European great powers, most notably at theTreaty of Berlin (1878) which resulted in thePact of Halepa. During the 19th and early 20th century, interethnic violence on Crete eventually led to the mass migration of the island's local Muslim population to other Mediterranean islands or coastal cities. Mass conversions also occurred. Thepopulation exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1922 resulted in the deportation of the island's last Muslim residents.[11]
In 1898, during the final moves towards independence andenosis—union withGreece—theGreat Powers made Chania the capital of the semi-autonomousCretan State (Kritiki Politeia), withPrince George of Greece, the High Commissioner of Crete living here. During these years Crete issued its own stamps and money. This was a very important transitional period when, no longer an isolatedvilayet of the Ottoman Empire, the city became more cosmopolitan and flourishing, regaining its role as the crossroad of civilizations, influenced by Europe as well as by the East. Many important buildings were built during this era, intellectual and artistic societies were created and a new class of local aristocracy brought a different atmosphere to the everyday life of the town. The district ofHalepa has many fine neoclassical embassies and consulates dating from this period.
However the main goal wasenosis with Greece, which came afterEleftherios Venizelos's constant opposition to Prince George's rule over Crete. The series of conflicts includes theTherisos revolt in 1905, which overthrew Prince George and broughtAlexandros Zaimis to rule Crete. Finally, in 1908, Venizelos managed to establish a revolutionary government, recognized by theGreat Powers. His later election as the prime minister of Greece (1910) eventually led to Crete's union with Greece on 1 December 1913, following theBalkan Wars. The Greek flag was raised for the first time at Fort Firka in the Old Harbour in the presence of Venizelos and King Constantine.
Another important period for the city of Chania was the invasion and occupation byGerman forces duringWorld War II. The British force that faced the German paratroopers during theBattle of Crete in 1941, had artillery elements over the hill of Dexameni in the south of the city. These elements bombarded the German forces in theMaleme airfield undetected, until they ran out of ammunition.George II of Greece stayed in a villa near the village of Perivolia outside Chania before escaping toEgypt. Part of the city was bombed and a significant proportion of the area's population was either executed or imprisoned due to participation in the resistance against the German rule. TheJewish community of Chania was also eliminated during the German occupation. Most of them were transported off the island by theNazi occupiers in 1944. ABritish torpedosank the shipTanais, which was carrying most of the Jewish prisoners.
The city of Chania slowly regained its normal pace of development during the 1950s, trying to overcome the difficulties that the war had left in its aftermath. During the 1970s, Crete became a major tourist destination for Greek and international tourists, something that gave a significant boost to the city's economy and affected the everyday life and the overall culture of the locals. The capital ofCrete was moved toHeraklion in 1971.
Since the 1990s, the city of Chania has entered a new era, mainly due to construction and infrastructure such as a new airport, port and educational facilities, and it is considered a prominent tourist resort in theMediterranean Sea.
The city of Chania can be divided into two parts: the old town and the modern city which is the larger one. The old town is situated next to the old harbour and is the matrix around which the whole urban area was developed. It used to be surrounded by theold Venetian fortifications that started to be built in 1538.[4] Of them, only the eastern and western parts have survived. From the south, the old town is continuous with the new, and from the north the physical border is the sea. The centre of the modern city is the area extending next to the old town and especially towards the south.
Traditional street in the old town.Colors of the old town
The borders of the Old Town are the partly destroyedold Venetian wall (and bulwarks) and this has been the cradle of all the civilizations which were developed in the area. The central part of the old town is named Kasteli and has been inhabited sinceNeolithic times (ancientKydonia). It is located on a small hill right next to the seafront and has always been the ideal place for a settlement due to its secure position, its location next to the harbour and its proximity to the fertile valley in the south. Nowadays it is a bit more quiet than the neighbouring areas of the west part of the district. The Splantzia quarter (next to the east part of Kasteli) is also largely untouched.
The main square of the Old Town (next to the west end of Kasteli) isEleftherios Venizelos Square, also known asSyntrivani (from Turkishşadırvan 'fountain'). It is the heart of the tourist activities in the area. Next to this (on the west side) lies the Topanas district, which was theChristian quarter during theOttoman period. Its name comes from the Venetian ammunition warehouse (Turkishtophane), which was located there. TheJewish quarter (Evraiki orOvraiki) was located at the north-west of the Old Town, behind the harbour and within the borders of Topanas. The Topanas area has many narrow alleys and old buildings, some of which have been restored as hotels, restaurants, shops and bars. This makes it a popular place especially during the warm period (April–October). In the winter, it still remains a centre of activities (especially for nightlife).
Finally, a very distinctive area of the Old Town is theharbour itself and generally the seafront. Akti Tompazi, Akti Kountouriotou and Akti Enoseos (marina) all feature several historical buildings and nightlife. The main street that combines the modern town with the old town is Halidon Street.
The modern part of Chania is where most locals live and work. It is less traditional than the old town, but there are still areas of some historical interest.
The oldest district (early 18th century) of the modern city is Nea Hora (meaning "New Town") which is located beyond the west end of the old town. It is a developing area with narrow old lanes leading to a small fishing harbour.
The district of Koum Kapi (the Venetians had first named it "Sabbionara", which means "the Gate of the Sand", the same as "Koum Kapi") situated beyond the walls at the eastern part of the old town, was also one of the first places to be inhabited outside the fortification walls. Initially, it was home for the "Halikoutes", a group of Bedouins fromNorth Africa who had settled there in the last years of Ottoman rule.[13] Nowadays it is a developing area with many cafes, bars and restaurants on its beach.
In the same era the district ofHalepa began to grow to the east of the city and used to be home for the local aristocracy. Some of the historical buildings of the area (including oldembassies of foreign countries) had been destroyed or abandoned during the later decades of the 20th century, and it was only recently when some interest was shown for the restoration of the remaining ones.[4]
View of the promenade.
Other historical buildings in the area includeEleftherios Venizelos's House (built 1876-1880), the old French school (now property of the Technical University of Crete, housing the Department of Architecture), the Church of Agia Magdalini (built 1901-1903), The "Palace" (built 1882, house of Prince George during the period of the Cretan independence) and The Church of Evangelistria (built 1908–1923). Part of the marine area of Halepa is called Tabakaria, where a unique architectural complex of old leather processing houses is situated.[4]
Castelli district.
Apart from the previously mentioned older districts of the modern part of the town, several new residential areas have been developed during the 20th century, like Agios Ioannis, Koumbes, Lentariana, Pachiana and Pasakaki. Sections of the city centre are dominated by colourless medium-height block buildings, typical of the urbanization period of Greece (1950–1970). However, there are still someneoclassical houses, especially in the eastern part of Chania. There are some parks and several sports grounds, the most important being the Venizeleio Stadium of Chania and the Swimming Pool at Nea Hora. The 1913 indoor market ("Agora"), is on the edge of the old town and is popular with tourists and locals alike. Some other important sites of the newer urban area are The Court House ("Dikastiria", built late in the 19th century), the Public Gardens ("Kipos", created in 1870), the Garden Clock-Tower ("Roloi", built in 1924–1927), the Episcopal Residence (Bishop's residence, "Despotiko", built in the early 19th century) and the House of Manousos Koundouros (built in 1909), the Cultural Centre ("Pnevmatiko Kentro"). The central largest squares in Chania are the Market Square ("Agora"), the Court House Square ("Dikastiria") and the "1866 Square".[4]
Since the 1990s, there has been a profound movement of Chania residents towards the suburbs, as well as towards areas around the city which used to be rural, mainly aroundKounoupidiana in theAkrotiri Peninsula.[14]
The city has a hot-summerMediterranean climate (Köppen:Csa), with sunny dry summers and mild rainy winters. During the period between April and October, clear-sky weather is almost an everyday feature. The atmosphere is always warm, but strong heat waves (temperatures above 38 °C) are not very common, since the prevailingetesian winds ("Meltemia") blow from theAegean Sea and pleasantly moderate the conditions. Intervals of sunny days are frequent during the windy and rainy winter as well. Snow and frost are rare near the coast, with very few exceptions, like the snowstorm on 13 February 2004, when 25–75 cm (9.8–29.5 in) of snow accumulated in the greater regional area, causing general chaos.[16] The last significant snowfall occurred on 8 January 2017 when the whole city and the old harbor were covered by snow. However, such cold days can be followed by much warmer and sunny weather.Heat waves can occur from as early as March, oftentimes accompanied bySaharan dust,[17] whose main feature are the hotkatabatic winds (foehn winds) blowing from the south, also calledSirocco (Σιρόκος) or "Livas" (the wind fromLibya) by the Greeks.[citation needed]
The adjacent climate chart is based on data recorded during 1958–1997. The absolute maximum temperature recorded during this period was 42.5 °C (109 °F), while the absolute minimum recorded was 0 °C (32 °F).[citation needed]
However, the record minimum was broken on 13 February 2004 when the temperature dropped to −1 °C (30 °F) in the nearbyairport ofSouda and the record maximum was broken on 1 July 2021 when the temperature reached 44.3 °C (111.7 °F) in the city station operated by theNational Observatory of Athens.[18]
The climate in Chania is further complemented due to the terrain and can vary throughout its regions and elevations and according to its topography. At the south lies the mountain range ofLefka Ori. Furthermore, prevailing winds, such as those of the West side and South of Crete, in addition to the North side—all interact to form its climate.
Municipalities of Chania regional unit.Chania is number 1.
The municipality of Chania was formed in the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following seven former municipalities, that became municipal units:[21]
The municipality has an area of 351.306 km2 (135.640 sq mi), the municipal unit 12.564 km2 (4.851 sq mi).[22] The municipality forms the eastern shore of Chania Bay (Kolpos Chanion Κόλπος Χανίων) and is bordered byPlatanias (6) to the west,Sfakia (7) to the south andApokoronas (2) to the east.
There are several museums,art galleries,theatre and music groups, educational and research institutions within the city.
The most important museums in Chania are:
Chania's new Archaeological Museum at 15 Skra Str. Chalepa, Chania, replaces the formerArcheological Museum of Chania. The museum houses findings from different parts of the region and from several historical and prehistorical periods.
Several theatre groups are active in Chania with the most important being the Municipal and Regional Theatre of Crete (DI.PE.THE.K).[26] The repertoire includes old and contemporary plays from Greek and foreign writers. A number of traditional [Cretan] musicians are also active in town.
There are fivecinemas (two of them open-air), concentrating both in commercial and independent movies and occasionally organizing small festivals.
There are numerous cafes, restaurants and bars throughout the Old Town and especially around the old Venetian harbour, at Enetiki Tafros (Venetian moat) and at Splantzia square, but also along the waterfront of the Koum Kapi and Nea Hora neighbourhoods. In summer, the bars and restaurants atPlatanias andAgia Marina are also busy.
A snapshot from a cultural event in Chania.
During the summer period, a variety of cultural events take place on a daily basis. Theatrical plays, concerts and several exhibitions from Greek and foreign artists are organized either by the municipality or by individuals. A venue which hosts many of these events is a theater located in the east bulwark of the Old Town ("Anatoliki Tafros"). Also, several festivals, conferences and sport events[which?] take place in Chania, especially between May and September.
A major role in the city's cultural life is played by the Municipal Cultural Corporation of Chania (DI.P.E.X.)[27] which organizes a significant part of the events taking place throughout the year.
Water sports are very popular in Chania. The localwater polo team, Nautical Club of Chania, N.O.X.[28] has managed to be a protagonist in the primary league of the Greek national championship for years. Several athletes of this team have also played forGreece men's national water polo team, which has achieved major international successes.
Football andbasketball are also very popular in the town, however not as successful. The main football team isChania FC (whose home ground is thePerivolia Municipal Stadium).Platanias FC (originally based at Maleme stadium near the town ofPlatanias) played in the top tier GreekSuper League between 2012-2013 and 2017-2018. Platanias also played at Perivolia stadium during this period before returning to the smaller Maleme stadium after relegation.
The main clubs forathletics are "Eleftherios Venizelos" and "Kydon". The "Antisfairisi" club is specialized intennis,table tennis and also has a significant tradition inchess. Many of the above sports are being practiced in the old Stadium of Chania, built in 1935 with the financial support of Elena Venizelou, then wife ofEleftherios Venizelos.
There is an open swimming pool for water sports in the suburb of Nea Chora. A new indoor pool, which was built on the nearby Akrotiri Peninsula in 2006, has not yet opened to the public because of the estimated operational costs.[29]
A modern indoor stadium for basketball, volleyball and other indoor sports and events, calledChania Kladissos Indoor Hall, was also built in 2005 near Nea Chora (Kladissos area).
There is a very active climbing and hiking club (Greek Mountaineering Club of Chania, E.O.S. Chanion[30]) organizing weekly excursions of varying difficulty on the mountains of Crete and several other longer term missions in mainland Greece and abroad.
The Historical, Laographical and Archaeological Society of Crete
Institute of Regional Press, Chania
Primary andsecondary schools are mainly public in Chania (as in all cities in Greece). However, there has been a slow development of some private high schools recently. Among the "Eniaia Lykeia" (Unified Upper Secondary Schools) of the town there is an autonomous Ecclesiastical Lyceum in Agios Mattheos.
The central market ("Agora")Sponges for sale in the Agora
Two main sources of wealth in Chania areagriculture andtourism. A large portion of the city's residents (not necessarily farmers) own many hectares of agricultural land where several plants are being cultivated, the most common ones beingolive trees andcitrus. Other important products includewine,avocados,dairy etc.[citation needed] The organization of the Agricultural August has been a recent attempt to promote local quality products including a series of activities organised by the Prefecture of Chania since 1999 has proved very successful.[citation needed]
On the other hand, starting from the early 1970s, tourism has developed rapidly.[34] Nowadays the tertiary sector is becoming more and more important for the locals, since an increasing number of them are participating in the business.
An important centre of the economic activities in the town is the Chania Chamber of Commerce and Industry (E.B.E.X.).[35]
Chania, has seen notable changes in its luxury residential market, reflecting its growing appeal to affluent tourists and expatriates. According to a report titled "Chania Construction Market Trends for 2025-2028" the annual change in luxury residential prices in 2024 for Chania has been significantly increased to 26% compared to 2021.[36] This trend indicates a rising demand for high-end accommodations and properties, further boosting the tourism and real estate sectors.
The main hospital in the city is the General Hospital "Agios Georgios". Other health institutions include the Crete Naval Hospital, the branch of the National Centre for Emergency Medical Care (E.K.A.B.), and the Clinic of Chronic Disease. The Chania branch of the Organisation Against Drugs (Ο.ΚΑ.ΝΑ.) opened in 2003.[37]
The city has a number of private clinics (e.g., Iasis and Central Clinic of Chania[38]), as well as medical centres specialising in various areas.
Souda, some 7 km (4.3 mi) east of Chania, is the city's port, with daily ferries toPiraeus. Souda also hostsCrete Naval Base, a major Greek andNATO base.Kissamos port, 41 km (25.5 mi) to the west of Chania, has ferry connections toKythira Island and thePeloponnese region.
TheA90 motorway runs along the north coast of Crete connecting Chania toKissamos in the west andHeraklion andSitia to the east. It is currently being upgraded to motorway standard and is expected to be completed by 2028.
Elpis Melena (1818–1899), born as Marie Espérance von Schwartz, German writer
Eleftherios Venizelos (1864–1936), prime minister of Greece 1910–1920, 1924, 1928–1932, 1933; widely considered as the most important statesman of modern Greece born in the village Therisso
Alexis Minotis (1898–1990), stage and screen actor active between the 1930s–1980s
Constantine Mitsotakis (1918–2017), politician, prime minister of Greece 1990–1993, and later the honorary president of the New Democracy party. Father of prime ministerKyriakos Mitsotakis and former foreign ministerDora Bakoyianni.
^Hogan, C Michael (January 23, 2008)."Cydonia". The Modern Antiquarian. RetrievedMarch 31, 2012.Cydonia is one of the five great cities of Minoan Crete, although exact location of the ancient city was not even resolved until the latter half of the 20th century. The most powerful centre of western Crete, Cydonia produced Bronze Age pottery and Linear B writings circa 1700 to 1500 BC, and was one of the first cities of Europe to mint coinage. A temple of Britomartis was erected on Mount Tityros near the city. HISTORY Cydonia was likely established as a Neolithic settlement in the fourth millennium BC. Archaeological excavations in the old town of present day Chania have revealed the remains of Middle Minoan Period Cydonia. These explorations are difficult, since the entire Venetian city of Chania was developed over Cydonia, with virtually no recorded medieval or modern mention of the ancient city specifics until the first finds in 1965. (Andreadaki, ) Ancient mention of the civilization in Cydonia is also made by Polybius, Strabo, Scylax and by Hanno in thePeriplus. (Smith, 1878) Pashley was able to work out rather accurately the location of ancient Cydonia without any archaeological data; he deduced the location near the port and Old Town from passages in the classical literature. (Pashley, 1837)
^abDetorakis, Theocharis E. (1986).Ιστορία της Κρήτης [History of Crete] (in Greek). Athens. p. 167.OCLC715204595.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
_(5743879845).jpg)
.jpg)
![Church of St Elijah at the Venizelos Graves [el]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aVenizelos_graves_St_Elijah_church.jpg)
