Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Plateia 1821; 7am-noon & 4-7pm)
One of Hania's most intriguing buildings is this
Venetian-era church with both a belltower and minaret - the latter was added during its
stint as a mosque under Turkish rule. Inside, the massive bronze chandeliers dangling
from a barrel-vaulted coffered ceiling will likely draw your attention.
Maritime Museum of Crete
MUSEUM
( 28210 91875;
www.mar-mus-crete.gr
;
Akti Koundourioti; adult/concession €3/2; 9am-5pm
Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm Sun)
Part of the hulking Venetian-built Firkas Fortress at the port en-
trance, this museum celebrates Crete's nautical tradition with model ships, naval instru-
ments, paintings, photographs, maps and memorabilia. One room is dedicated to historic-
al sea battles while upstairs there's a thorough documentation on the WWII-era Battle of
Crete. The gate to the fortress itself is open from 8am to 2pm.
Etz Hayyim Synagogue
SYNAGOGUE
( 28210 86286;
www.etz-hayyim-hania.org
; Parodos Kondylaki; welcome donation €2;
10am-6pm Mon-Fri)
Crete's only remaining synagogue was badly damaged in WWII and
reopened in 1999. It sports a
mikve
(ritual bath), tombs of rabbis and a memorial to the
local Jews killed by the Nazis. Today it serves a congregation of seven and it is open to
visitors.
Byzantine & Postbyzantine Collection
MUSEUM
( 28210 96046; Theotokopoulou 82; adult/concession €2/1, incl Archaeological Museum €3/2;
8.30am-3pm Tue-Sun)
In an impressively restored Venetian church, this well-edited col-
lection consists of artefacts, icons, jewellery and coins spanning the period from AD 62
to 1913. Standouts include a fine mosaic floor, evocative mural fragments from a
late-12th-century church and icons from the Cretan school.
Agora
MARKET
(
www.chaniamarket.com
; 7am-5pm Mon & Sat, 7am-9pm Tue-Fri)
Hania's cross-shaped mar-
ket hall bustles mostly with souvenir-hunting tourists, although a few authentic produce,
meat and cheese stands - along with cafes - are still part of the mix.
