Sights in Hania
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Archaeological Museum
Hania's Archaeological Museum is housed in the superb 16th-century Venetian Church of San Francisco that became a mosque under the Turks, a movie theatre in 1913 and a munitions depot for the Germans during WWII. The museum houses a well-displayed collection of finds from western Crete dating from the Neolithic to the Roman eras. Artefacts from 3400 BC to 1200 BC, to the left as you enter the museum, include tablets with Linear A script.
There is some exquisite pottery from the Geometric era (1200-800 BC) and a case of bull figurines. Among the Hellenistic and Roman exhibits, the statue of Diana is particularly impressive. There is a marble fountain in the pretty courtyar…
reviewed
-
Chapel of Metamorfosis Sotiros
At the entrance to the town a sign directs you to the Chapel of Metamorfosis Sotiros that contains 14th-century frescoes. The fresco of the Transfiguration on the south wall is particularly impressive.
The road from Hania to the beginning of the Samaria Gorge is one of the most spectacular routes in Crete. After heading through orange groves to the village of Fournes, a left fork leads to Meskla, twisting and turning along a gorge offering beautiful views. Although the bottom part of the town is not particularly attractive with boarded-up buildings, the road becomes more scenic as it winds uphill to the modern, multicoloured Church of the Panagia. Next to it is a 14th-cen…
reviewed
-
B
Naval Museum
The Naval Museum has an interesting collection of model ships dating from the Bronze Age, and naval instruments, paintings, photographs and memorabilia from the Battle of Crete.
It is housed in the Firkas Fortress, once the old Turkish prison.An authentic replica of a Minoan ship, which sailed from Crete to Athens as part of the Athens 2004 Olympics ceremonies, will be the star attraction of the museum's new Ancient and Traditional Maritime Museum annexe in the Venetian ship sheds being created at the far end of the harbour.
reviewed
-
Folklore Museum
The village of Gavalohori, 25km southeast of Hania, makes a pleasant stop. The main attraction is the Folklore Museum, which is located in a renovated building that was constructed during Venetian rule and then extended by the Turks. The exhibits are well labelled in English and include examples of pottery, weaving, woodcarving, stonecutting and other Cretan crafts, including the fine kapaneli - intricately worked silk lace. A historical section documents Cretan struggles for independence.
reviewed
-
Koumos
One of the more quirky attractions of the Apokoronas area is Koumos the huge stone fantasy of local builder Yiorgos Havaledakis. He has spent years collecting a hotchpotch of stones, pebbles and rocks of every shape colour and size from the surrounding mountains to create this bizarre sprawling open-air taverna and kafeneio. The grounds include a stone church, bridges, arches, sculptures, light poles - even the toilet block shows off his unique rock art.
reviewed
-
Dourakis winery
Wine buffs will enjoy a stop at the Dourakis winery near the Alikambos turn-off on the road to Hora Sfakion. Winemaker Andreas Dourakis is happy to show visitors around the stone-built winery and there is a pleasant tasting room upstairs where you can sample some of his 17 excellent wines, including an organic red and his well-known Logari label. Dourakis produces more than 180,000 bottles a year using local and foreign varietals.
reviewed
-
C
Limnoupolis
If your five-year-old has lost interest in Venetian architecture, head to the public garden between Tzanakaki and Dimokratias, where there's a playground, a small zoo with two resident kri-kri (Cretan goat) and a shady café. Eight kilometres south of town the giant water park Limnoupolis has enough slides and rides to keep kids amused and cafés and pool bars for adults. Buses leave regularly from the KTEL bus station.
reviewed
-
D
Byzantine and Post Byzantine Collection of Hania
The Byzantine and Post Byzantine Collection of Hania is in the impressively restored Church of San Salvatore. It has a small but fascinating collection of artefacts, icons, jewellery and coins, including a fine segment of a mosaic floor for an early Christian basilica and a prized icon of St George slaying the dragon. The building has a mixed bag of interesting architectural features from its various occupiers.
reviewed
-
Vatsiana Museum
In Vatsiana, the island's priest has created a small private museum in an old stone house with items collected from the island, including agricultural and domestic tools, a loom and weavings. There is a small working traditional wood oven next door and the priest's wife, Maria, runs the quaint attached kafeneio, where you can try her ouzo and cake.
reviewed
-
Acropolis Taverna
If you're driving to Polyrrinia, take the perimeter road at the turn off for the Acropolis Taverna which has lovely views. Behind the taverna there is a path to the left about 100m before the Agios Pateras church which leads to the acropolis. You can do a full circuit around the hill to take in the views but the path can be overgrown.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Olive Wood Workshop
It's a scenic two-hour walk from Kissamos-Kastelli to Polyrrinia. To reach the Polyrrinia road, walk east along the Kissamos-Kastelli main road and turn right after the OTE (public phone company) office. You can reach the site through the village on foot, passing by the interesting Olive wood workshop of Giorgos Tsichlakis.
reviewed
-
E
Monastiri Tou Karolou
The restored 16th-century Monastiri Tou Karolou has a pleasant courtyard café, which hosts occasional live music and cultural events. The old monastery is now the home, atelier and hairdressing salon of Hania's famous formerly Paris-based celebrity hairdresser-cum-sculptor Karolos Kambelopoulos.
reviewed
-
Historical Museum and Archives
The Historical Museum and Archives, southeast of the old quarter, traces Crete's war-torn history with a series of exhibits focusing on the struggle against the Turks. There are also exhibits relating to the German occupation and a folklore collection.
reviewed
-
Mlitary Museum
As you enter Askyfou from Hania, signs direct you to the Mlitary Museum, which displays the gun and military odds-and-ends collection of Georgios Hatzidakis, who is eager to show you around.
reviewed
-
F
Cretan House Folklore Museum
Hania's interesting Cretan House Folklore Museum contains a selection of crafts and implements including weavings with traditional designs.
reviewed
-
G
Great Arsenal
The stunningly restored Great Arsenal is now home to the Centre for Mediterranean Architecture, which hosts regular events and exhibitions.
reviewed
-
H
Etz Hayyim Synagogue
The restored Etz Hayyim Synagogue has a moving memorial to the Jews of Hania who were annihilated by the Nazis.
reviewed
-
I
Municipal Art Gallery
Hania's three-level Municipal Art Gallery hosts exhibitions of modern Greek art.
reviewed
