JULY 2019 : GREECE : DAY 4 : Chania

A day exploring Chania’s Old Town or Splantzia Quarter

 Simple breakfast at the port

Stalls all set up for a brisk day’s business

We walked west along the foreshore

A myriad of hotels, guesthouses and rooms for rent

Traditional music

The lighthouse and the ruins of the Venetian fortifications. This area was heavily bombed in WW2.

We meandered through the alleyways and small streets

Some attractive galleries 

The ruins of the Turkish baths

Jewish community developed near the synagogue

The Jewish soap factory now a traditional Cretan restaurant 

The ruins of the Byzantine wall in the background

Beautifully presented gardens

The charm of the medieval walls

A small folk museum with fine needlework and pottery

The Greek Orthodox Cathedral

16th century Venetian Church of San Francesco

A large well-established food market with the usual produce. These goat/sheep heads caught our attention.

A well-maintained Venetian building

Shady courtyards, a respite from the heat

Tropical bushes provide colour and sun protection 

We had read that the best gyro/ souvlakia sandwich was at a small cafe, called Oasis. One type for €2 and it was so popular that they sell out by 2pm. We located the hole in the wall cafe and true to form, the lines of customers were forming. We were lucky ones today and enjoyed the chef’s handiwork.

A late afternoon walk up the first settled area to get a better view of the harbour.

Amongst the 17th century Venetian walls, there is now a Monastery sanctuary / hotel

The monastery/sanctuary garden

There has been habitation in Chania for 5,000 years. This Minoan site has been dated at 1,450 BC.

Excellent dinner near the Synagogue and the Shalom dress shop

A traditional Cretan character

At sunset the lighthouse is lit up and provides an attractive backdrop to the busy restaurants and nightlife.

M&M