Islands near Chania

Answer: The Venetian harbor with a lighthouse of the XV century is a visiting card of the city, built under the doge Francesco Morosini. Nearby is the Kuchuk Hasan mosque of the XVII century with characteristic Ottoman domes. A must visit is the Archaeological Museum in the Venetian Monastery of St. Francis, where Minoan artifacts are kept.

Answer: The old town exhibits a unique synthesis of Venetian Renaissance (palaces along the harbor), Ottoman Baroque (mosques with minarets) and Cretan folk architecture. Particularly prominent is the Cathedral of the Three Martyrs of the XIX century in the neoclassical style. The sixteenth-century Venetian arsenals near the harbor are a rare example of Mediterranean defense architecture.

Answer: The Maritime Museum of Crete in the fortress of Firkas introduces the history of navigation through interactive models of ships. In the village-museum Anomalia recreated traditional Cretan life with the workshops of artisans. For young biologists, an urban garden with rare subtropical plants, founded in 1870, is interesting.

Answer: The narrow streets of Splandzia with Venetian staircases and carved doors are a perfect backdrop. The view from the western mole to the old lighthouse at sunset has become the hallmark of Crete. Scrini Bubuli - "hidden" arcade of the XVI century in the courtyards of the Old Town - a rare angle without tourists.

Answer: Local fishermen talk about the ghost of the Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa, allegedly sank here Venetian gallery. In the foundation of the lighthouse found stones with ancient Greek inscriptions – possibly from the temple of Apollo. Soprulu Street is considered the “ghost road” after the discovery of medieval burials under the pavement.

Answer: The Church of St. Nicholas of the XVI century hides unique frescoes of the Cretan school of iconography. In the basements of the house on Daliani Street, Venetian olive oil cisterns have been preserved. The garden of the municipal hospital contains rare medicinal plants planted under the Turkish Governor Vehbi Pasha.