Chania - Hania (Crete)

Places of Interest - Greece

introduction

Crete is the largest and most southern of the Greek islands, and is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean. It is also seen as the most popular among tourists and most beautiful and is sometimes called the "Venice of the East". Because of the favorable location between the coasts of Asia Minor, Cyprus, Egypt and Syria, Crete, which is also known under the Venetian name Candia, has a long history as a center of maritime trade. Between 1600 and 1400 BC the Cretans achieved a high level of civilization because of their position, thanks to their dominion based on naval power.

Also the old Chania was a Minoan settlement. At the end of the 19th century, most Turks left the island and the Great European powers determined that Chania became the capital of the Republic of Crete. This would remain the case until 1971.

Chania is now the second largest city of the Greek island of Crete and the old Venetian city built around the harbor is still one of the island's largest tourist attractions. The city is also often used as a departure point for going to the very popular "Samaria" gorge in the southwest of the island. Chania has a large port and its own airport.

highlights

Hania:

The area east of the old port is where antique Kydonia is located. Antique items that have been taken from the ground here are mainly displayed in the archaeological museum of the city. Many occupiers of Crete and Chania have built and rebuilt their city in the same place and often made use of the material and structures that already existed.

Much of this part of the city was bombed flat during WWII by the attacking Germans. Large parts of the city walls and fort were built and developed by the Venetians and are still visible - one of the best preserved pieces is the so-called "Slavo Bastion" on the west side of the old city. You can climb over the now vegetated parts where you have a good panorama of the city. Chania has a Venetian harbor with the lighthouse and the Firkas fort dated from 1629 which can be reached via a 1.5 km long pier.

The nearby Splantzia quarter is a district full of picturesque alleys with atmospheric restaurants, (souvenir) shops and cafes with romantic terraces. Take a look at the market full of fresh food such as fruit, fish and meat. Finally, there is the old center with its Venetian, Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods. Important museums are the already mentioned archaeological museum but you can also visit the maritime or folklore museum.

Maleme and around:

About 15 km west of Hania lies the military airport of Maleme. During the Battle of Crete (May 20, 1941 - June 1, 1941) there was heavily fighting on and around this airfield. The Germans knew that it was crucial to have an airport in Crete. That is why they attacked on the 20th of May with paratroopers from the air the city of Maleme.

Only on 21 May the airport was conquered. Later in the day, troops from the 5th Mountain Division arrived. But while they landed, the airfield was shot at by the Allies with guns and the airport was strewn with aircraft wrecks. After 23 May the battle was decided and 8 days later the battle for Crete was won by the Germans.

Near the crucial airport is also the very important bridge that already on the first day of Operation Mercury fell in the hands of the Germans. The parachutists landed near the river of Tavronitis with gliders on 20 May 1941. From the valley of the river they attacked the airport to capture them the next day, 21 May 1941. Today there are still traces of the battle to be found on the bridge and there are two German torpedoes in front of the bridge. Somewhat more in-land lies the Maleme German war cemetery with his 4465 graves, gathered here from all over the island of Crete. The cemetery is located on a hill near the airport of Maleme.

Also for the possession of the hill is heavily fought. A café is located at the entrance of the German cemetery.

history

In Antiquity, Chania had the name Kydonia, an old Minoan settlement centralized on the hill on the east side of the harbor. According to historians, the city had a palace and it was an important place. Kydonia was to be found in the year 1450 BC. suffer the same fate as most Minoan cities but soon would resurrect during Hellenistic times and then during Roman times.

In 828 Kydonia was conquered by the Arabs, destroyed and rebuilt as al-Hannim. When the Byzantines reconquered Chania in 961, they retained this name. At the end of the 13th century, Chania was conquered by Venice. The city then got the name Canea.

The Venetians built the castle, fearing pirates and the Turks. The city was confronted with the famous pirate Barbarossa and after his raids it was rebuilt again. At the beginning of the 17th century, Chania was conquered by the Ottomans after a 2-monthly siege. This came to an end only with the independence of Crete in 1898 orchestrated by the great European powers of that time. Chania was declared the capital of the Republic of Crete. In 1913 Chania, like the rest of Crete, became part of Greece.

During the Second World War, Chania was heavily bombed by the Germans - around Chania, Souda and Maleme airport the battle around Crete was decided. Heraklion became the capital of the island of Crete.

tips & advice (2017)

About 15 kilometers east of Chania, on the Akrotiri peninsula, is Chania Airport. It is both a civil and a military airfield. Chania Airport has a number of fixed connections with other Greek airports and seasonal connections with airports in several European countries, including Schiphol, Weeze Airport and Zaventem. The port of Chania is located in nearby Souda. From here, a ferry service with Piraeus is maintained. There is also a NATO base here.

Chania center - camping (see below): from Plateia 1866 in Chania center you have to take bus 21 to Kalamki. Ride takes about 15 to 20 minutes and costs 1.20 euros. The bus goes every 20 minutes during the week.

Chania center/campground - Maleme: bus 141 leaves Kolymbari every half hour from the bus station in Chania (and stops near the campsite) and stops in Maleme (2nd stop after the center). Price is 2.60 euros and takes about half an hour.

Chania (Souda) - Athens (Piraeus): every day a boat departs Chania at 9 p.m. that arrives at 6 o'clock in the port of Pireaus at about 6 o'clock. Costs between 30 and 40 euros for a deck spot (= cheapest). Bus 13 goes directly to the port every 20 minutes from Hania center. Cost 1.70 (kiosk)

TIP:

Buy your things directly at the bar on the boat and do not serve - you often pay many times more.

Name: Hania camping

Address: Hrysi Akti (Ag.Apostoli)

Price: 11 euro (7 euro p.p and 4 euro tent)

Phone nr. : 2821031138

E-mail: camhani@otenet.gr

Content:

The campsite is located about 3 km west of the old town of Hania and is easily accessible by bus (no. 21). It has dormitories, large fixed tents (3 to 4 people), a caravan and space for campers and tents. The field is full of short trees so that your tent is pretty much always in the shade. There are electric pedals and it is kinda open (no fixed spots).

There is a minimarket with, among other things, fresh bread in the morning, a room for breakfast (in the summer) and a large restaurant / bar with a large swimming pool. WIFI is available at the swimming pool and at the reception. I hope you like cats because at least 10 of them are walking around. Behind the back wall there is a farm with lots of animals that make a hell of a noise in the morning.

Chania-Greece-WW2-Graveyard-German-Battle-Airport