The old harbour of Chania - situated next to the old city - was built in the mid 14th century by the Venetians during their occupation of Crete. It was an important center, serving the Venetian military ships, as well as one of the most important commercial ports of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

In the 16th century the harbour was included to the new fortification plans of the city of Chania. During the period of the Turkish rule, the port continued to be a trade center.
Much later, in the19th - early 20th century, the largest ships at that time, had to anchor outside the harbor and reach the pier by boat. The port gradually abandoned and today the Venetian harbour offers moorage for fishing boats and other small boats and yachts.

The promenade along the water is lined with cafes, restaurants, bars and tavernas (PiP). A little bit further away you will find the (former) Turkish Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque (PiP) and the Venetian shipyards and arsenals (PiP). Another landmark is the lighthouse, built at the harbour entrance by the Venetians and restored between 1830 and 1840 in its present form by the Egyptians.

(Four images stitched together for the main image)