Chania - Revision history

Irlandos: /* Transport */

2007-12-13T16:26:41Z

Transport

Irlandos: /* Transport */

2007-12-13T16:26:16Z

Transport

Irlandos: /* The city today */

2007-12-13T16:24:53Z

The city today

Irlandos: /* External links */

2007-03-07T13:31:36Z

External links

Lazarus: Reverted edits by Sunfire32 (Talk); changed back to last version by Irlandos

2006-09-29T02:24:54Z

Reverted edits by Sunfire32 (Talk); changed back to last version by Irlandos

Sunfire32: /* External links */

2006-09-28T21:47:22Z

External links

Irlandos: /* Transport */

2005-10-30T13:48:18Z

Transport

Irlandos at 13:46, October 30, 2005

2005-10-30T13:46:55Z

New page

'''Chania''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Χανιά, also transliterated as ''Hania'', older form and Italian: ''Canea'') is the second largest city of [[Crete]] and its former capital. It is also the capital of the [[Chania prefecture]].
It lies along the North coast of Crete, about 70 km west of [[Rethymno]] and 145 km west of [[Heraklion]].

== History ==
Chania is the site of the [[Minoan civilization|Minoan]] settlement of Kydonia, the Greek for "[[quince]]". The city reemerged after the end of the Minoan period as an important city-state in [[Classical Greece]] whose domain extended from Hania Bay to the feet of the White Mountains. Kydonia was constantly at war with other city-states such as [[Aptera]], [[Falasarna]] and [[Polyrrinia]] and was important enough to be mentioned in [[Homer]]'s ''[[Odyssey]]''. In [[69 BC]] the Roman Consul Metellus defeated the Cretans and conquered Kydonia to which he granted the privileges of an independent city-state. Kydonia reserved the right to mint its own coins until the [[3rd century]] AD.

The early Christian period under [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] rule is not well-documented. The [[Arab]]s overtook the island by [[824]] and first called the settlement Chania. Again there is little from this period which was largely an enslavement of the people rather than a colonisation. The Byzantine Empire retook the city in [[961]]. They began to fortify the city to prevent another Arab invasion.

After the [[Fourth Crusade]] and the dismantling of the Byzantine empire, in [[1204]], Crete was given to [[Boniface of Montferrat|Bonifacio, Marquis de Montferrat]]. He, in turn, chose to sell it to the Venetians for 100 silver marks. In [[1252]] the Venetians managed to subdue the Cretans but in [[1263]], the Genoans, with local support, seized the city under the leadership of the Count of Malta, Henrico Pescatore, and held it until [[1285]] when the Venetians returned. Chania was chosen as the seat of the Rector (Administrator General) of the region and flourished as a significant commercial centre of a fertile agricultural region. Contact with Venice led to close intertwining of Cretan and Venetian cultures. The city's name became La Canea and fortifications were built around the city, against invaders and pirates, giving Chania the form that it still has today.

However the walls did not prevent the Turkish army overrunning the ciy in [[1645]] after just two months siege. The Turks landed near the Monastery of "Gonia" in [[Kissamos]], which they plundered and burnt. They seized Chania itself on [[2 August]] [[1645]]. Huge numbers died in the siege, particularly Turks. The Turkish commander was executed on returning home for losing up to 40,000 men.

Most churches were turned into mosques and the riches of the city were taken. The Turks resided mainly in the eastern quarters, Kastelli and [[Splantzia]], where they converted the Dominican church of St Nicholas into the central Sovereign's Mosque ("Huyar Camissi"). They also built new mosques such as "Kucuk Hassan Camissi" on the harbour. Public baths - Hamam, and fountains were a feature of the Turkish city. The pasha of the island resided in Chania.

In [[1821]], as Greece rose against the Ottomans, many Christians were slaughtered and the Bishop of Kissamos, Melchisedek Thespotakis was hanged from a tree in Splantzia. In [[1878]], the [[Treaty of Halepa]] was signed and Christians were granted certain rights.

[[Eleftherios Venizelos]], who hailed from [[Mournies]] near Chania, was a leader of the [[1896]] uprising against Ottoman rule and went on to be Prime Minister of Greece and a great statesman. His tomb is on a hill overlooking Chania.
In [[1898]], during the final moves towards independence and [[enosis]] with [[Greece]], the [[Great Powers]] made Chania the capital of the semi-autonomous "Cretan State", with [[Prince George of Greece]], the High Commissioner of Crete living here. The district of [[Halepa]] has many fine neoclassical embassies and consulates dating from this period. Crete issued its own stamps and money.
The capital was moved to Heraklion in [[1971]].

== The city today ==

Despite being heavily bombed in [[World War II]], Chania's old city is considered Crete's most beautiful town, especially the crumbling Venetian harbour with its [[15th century]] lighthouse and the Mosque of the Janissaries. Many of the old buildings have been restored as hotels, shops and bars, although the Splantzia quarter behind the inner harbour and Venetian Arsenals is still largely untouched and very atmospheric. The [[1860]] [[Greek Orthodox]] Cathedral is located in a square facing the entrance to the [[1879]] Roman Catholic cathedral across Halidhon street. The Synagogue - ''Etz Hayyim'' in the Topanas District, has been restored in recent years after falling into disrepair when the Jewish community of Chania was transported off the island by the [[Nazi]] occupiers in [[1944]]. Tragically a British torpedo sank the ship ''Tanais'' carrying most of the Jewish prisoners, killing the island's pre-war community.

The city boasts archaeological, naval history and folklore museums, art galleries and many stores and tavernas in the old town. The [[1913]] indoor market, a large building based on the market of Marseille, is on the edge of the old town and is popular with tourists and locals alike. In the new town that spreads out some distance there are popular boutiques and cafés as well as the University, Town Hall and Hospital. Some 60,000 people live in Chania.

== Transport ==
The city has an international [[airport]] (code CHQ) on the [[Akrotiri Peninsula (Crete)|Akrotiri Peninsula]] named after [[Daskalogiannis]], a [[Sfakia|Sfakiot]] hero who was skinned by the Turks in the [[18th century]].
There are several flights a day from Athens to Chania, with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Airlines. From April to early November, there are many direct charter flights to Chania from the UK, Germany, Scandinavia and other European countries. <br>
[http://www.cretetravel.com/To_and_from_Crete/Flights_Crete.htm Domestic flight schedules]

[[Souda]], some 7 km from Chania, is the city's port, with daily ferries to [[Pireaus]] and a [[NATO]] naval base. <br>
[http://www.cretetravel.com/To_and_from_Crete/Ferries_Crete.htm Ferry schedules]

== External links ==
*[http://www.chania.gr/ Municipality of Chania]
*[http://www.cretetravel.com/Chania/Chania.htm Chania Feature]
*[http://www.west-crete.com/ West Crete]
*[http://www.etz-hayyim-hania.org Etz Hayyim Synagogue]
*[http://citymayors.com/mayors/chania.html CityMayors article]

[[Category:Crete]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Greece]]
[[Category:Chania Prefecture]]
[[Category:Greek prefectural capitals]]

@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 == Transport ==
-The city has an international [[Chania airport]] (code CHQ) on the [[Akrotiri Peninsula (Crete)|Akrotiri Peninsula]] named after [[Daskalogiannis]], a [[Sfakia|Sfakiot]] hero who was skinned by the Turks in the [[18th century]].
+The city has an international [[Chania International Airport|airport]] (code CHQ) on the [[Akrotiri Peninsula (Crete)|Akrotiri Peninsula]] named after [[Daskalogiannis]], a [[Sfakia|Sfakiot]] hero who was skinned by the Turks in the [[18th century]].
 There are several flights a day from Athens to Chania, with Aegean Airlines or [[Olympic Airlines]]. From April to early November, there are many direct charter flights to Chania from the UK, Germany, Scandinavia and other European countries. <br>
 [http://www.cretetravel.com/To_and_from_Crete/Flights_Crete.htm Domestic flight schedules]

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:24, December 13, 2007
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−	Despite being heavily bombed in [[World War II]], Chania's old city is considered Crete's most beautiful town, especially the crumbling Venetian harbour with its [[15th century]] lighthouse and the Mosque of the Janissaries. Many of the old buildings have been restored as hotels, shops and bars, although the Splantzia quarter behind the inner harbour and Venetian Arsenals is still largely untouched and very atmospheric. The [[1860]] [[Greek Orthodox]] Cathedral is located in a square facing the entrance to the [[1879]] Roman Catholic cathedral across Halidhon street. The Synagogue - ''Etz Hayyim'' in the Topanas District, has been restored in recent years after falling into disrepair when the Jewish community of Chania was transported off the island by the [[Nazi]] occupiers in [[1944]]. Tragically a British torpedo sank the ship ''Tanais'' carrying most of the Jewish prisoners, killing the island's pre-war community.	+	Despite being heavily bombed in [[World War II]], Chania's old city is considered Crete's most beautiful town, especially the crumbling Venetian harbour with its [[15th century]] lighthouse and the Mosque of the Janissaries. Many of the old buildings have been restored as hotels, shops and bars, although the Splantzia quarter behind the inner harbour and Venetian Arsenals is still largely untouched and very atmospheric. The [[1860]] [[Greek Orthodox]] Cathedral is located in a square facing the entrance to the [[1879]] Roman Catholic cathedral across Halidhon street. The Synagogue - ''Etz Hayyim'' in the Topanas District, has been restored in recent years after falling into disrepair when the Jewish community of Chania was transported off the island by the Nazi occupiers in [[1944]]. Tragically a British torpedo sank the ship ''Tanais'' carrying most of the Jewish prisoners, killing the island's pre-war community.

	The city boasts archaeological, naval history and folklore museums, art galleries and many stores and tavernas in the old town. The [[1913]] indoor market, a large building based on the market of Marseille, is on the edge of the old town and is popular with tourists and locals alike. In the new town that spreads out some distance there are popular boutiques and cafés as well as the University, Town Hall and Hospital. Some 60,000 people live in Chania.		The city boasts archaeological, naval history and folklore museums, art galleries and many stores and tavernas in the old town. The [[1913]] indoor market, a large building based on the market of Marseille, is on the edge of the old town and is popular with tourists and locals alike. In the new town that spreads out some distance there are popular boutiques and cafés as well as the University, Town Hall and Hospital. Some 60,000 people live in Chania.

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 [[Category:Crete]]
 [[Category:Cities and towns in Greece]]
-[[Category:Chania Prefecture]]
+[[Category:Chania prefecture]]
 [[Category:Greek prefectural capitals]]

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 *[http://www.etz-hayyim-hania.org Etz Hayyim Synagogue]
 *[http://citymayors.com/mayors/chania.html CityMayors article]
-*[http://malibu_hotels-nzng.wildofporn.com/index.html/ City Malibu]
 [[Category:Crete]]

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 [http://www.cretetravel.com/To_and_from_Crete/Flights_Crete.htm Domestic flight schedules]
-[[Souda]], some 7 km from Chania, is the city's port, with daily ferries to [[Pireaus]] and a [[NATO]] naval base. <br>
+[[Souda]], some 7 km from Chania, is the city's port, with daily ferries to [[Piraeus]] and a NATO naval base. <br>
 [http://www.cretetravel.com/To_and_from_Crete/Ferries_Crete.htm Ferry schedules]