Homer mentions the Kydonias and Kydonia as being one of the oldest people in Crete and in recent years the archaeologists spade has brought to light important Minoan remains at Kasteli, Maleme, Stylos, Samona and Phylaki.
The Archaeological Museum of Chania which is housed in the restored Venetian church of San Fransesco is full of the fine artefacts made by the ancient inhabitants of the area from the third millennium before Christ. The finds chiefly come from the rich and as yet unexcavated site of Aptera, Minoa, Polyrina, Phalasarna, Yrtakina, Elyros, Lissos, Kantanos, Aradena, Phoinika (Loutro), Tara (Ag. Roumeli) and Kydonia (Chania).
In the time of the Roman Empire these towns were flourishing and excavations have yielded important illustrations of life at this time. The islands of Kalyphso and Cavdos, the cultplace of the goddess Diktyna at Menies, the Matelon of Appollo at Agia Roumeli and the fortified islets of Souda Bay are linked together by the many tales of Greek Mythology.
Christianity spread to Chania very early on the evidence of this can be seen by important monuments at Chania, Episkopi Kisamou, Almyrida, Kantanous, Lissos, Souyia, Agia Roumeli and Meskla.
Many of the settlements of the region have their beginnings in the Byzantine or Venetian periods and there are approximately 350 churches still existing with frescos dating from the 11th to the 16th centuries.
There are impressive fortresses on the islands of Souda, Cramvousa and Thodros and villas at Rodopos, Kalathenes, Drapania and Katochori.
The monasteries of Couverneto, Agia Triada, Chrysopiyi, Conia, Karakies and Karydi are worth visiting.
The town of Chania has a long history and the picturesque quarter of the old town is well preserved and dates from the Venetian and Turkish occupation.
The town is walled by two enceintes, the first of which was built around the Kasteli acropolis in the 11th century and the second in the 16th century by the Venetians.
Within the bounds of the old town are churches, mosques, museums and the harbour area where cultural events are held and every sort of amenity for recreation and shopping can be found. The new town which has spread around the old one offers similar facilities.
SOURCE: RENTAL ACCOMMODATIONS UNION OF MUNICIPALITY
OF CHANIA
