Chania: Crete's Venetian harbour

The Venetian Port, built in the thirteenth century, remains encircled by walls and buildings that blend Venetian, Ottoman and Egyptian architecture in a single seafront facade.

Just steps away, the Lighthouse of La Canea, among the most ancient in the eastern Mediterranean, was rebuilt by the Egyptians in the nineteenth century atop more ancient Venetian foundations.

Continuing one visits the Covered Market, built in cross form at the beginning of the twentieth century, which still today sells Cretan cheeses, olives and spices.

Toward evening, the alleys of the old city, with their restored Venetian houses, come alive with taverns serving traditional Cretan cuisine.

The lighthouse of La Canea has changed shape multiple times over the centuries, from the original Venetian design to the current octagonal base desired by the Egyptians in the nineteenth century.

La Canea lost its role as Cretan capital only in 1971, when the Greek government decided to transfer the administrative seat to Heraklion, a larger but less architecturally preserved city.