Chania - Geography and climate, History, Historical population, The city today, Culture, Education / Research, Economy
Coordinates: 35°31′N 24°1′E
| Chania (Χανιά) | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°31′ N 24°1′ E |
| Country | Greece |
| Periphery | Crete |
| Prefecture | Chania |
| Population | 53,373 source (2001) |
| Area | 12.6 km² |
| Population density | 4,248 /km² |
| Elevation | 5 m |
| Postal code | 731 00 |
| Area code | 28210 |
| Licence plate code | ΧΝ |
Chania (IPA [xa'ɲa], Greek: Χανιά, also transliterated as Hania, older form Chanea and Venetian: Canea, Godart and Olivier abbreviation: KH) is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania Prefecture.
The official population of the municipal area is 53,373 but some 70,000 people live in the greater area of Chania.
Geography and climate
The city of Chania lies at the east end of the Gulf of Chania, a wide embayment between the Akrotiri peninsula in the east and the Spatha peninsula (also called Rodopos) in the west. It covers a significant part of the small Plain of Chania and borders with the hilly suburbs of Profitis Ilias, Agios Mattheos and Kounoupidiana towards the east, with the villages of Vamvakopoulo, Nerokourou, Mournies and Perivolia towards the south and with the coastal areas of Chryssi Akti and Agioi Apostoloi towards the west.
The city enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, with sunny dry summers and mild rainy winters.
History
(see also )
Early history
In the Cretan mythology that was recast by Mycenaeans and set down in the literary mythology of Classical Greece, Kaino (modern Chania) was where the harvest sprite Karme was said to have born the virginal huntress Britomartis.
Kaino/Chania is the site of the Minoan settlement the Greeks called Cydonia, Greek for quince. Some important evidence for the existence of this Minoan city below some parts of today's Chania was found by excavations in the district of Kasteli in the Old Town.
The early Christian period under Byzantine rule (First Byzantine Period, 395 - 824 AD) and the rule of the Arabs, who called the settlement Chania, are not well documented.
The Venetian era
After the Fourth Crusade (1204) and the fail of the Byzantium in the Hellenic area, Crete was given to Bonifacio, marchese de Montferrat.
The Venetian rule was initially strict and oppressive but slowly the relations between the two parts improved. The city's name became La Canea and fortifications were strengthened, giving Chania the form that it still has today. The city of Chania during the period that followed was a blend of Byzantine, Venetian and Classical Greek cultural elements.
Chania under the Ottomans
However the walls did not prevent the Turkish army overrunning the city in 1645 after just two months' siege.
In 1821, as Greece rose against the Ottoman Empire, many Christians were slaughtered and the Bishop of Kissamos, Melhisedek Despotakis was hanged from a tree in Splantzia.
Modern Greek era
Eleftherios Venizelos, who hailed from Mournies near Chania, was the leader of the 1896-97 uprising against Ottoman rule and went on to be Prime Minister of Greece and a great statesman. In 1898, during the final moves towards independence and enosis— union with Greece— the Great Powers made Chania the capital of the semi-autonomous Cretan State ("Kritiki Politeia"), with Prince George of Greece, the High Commissioner of Crete living here. Many important buildings were built during this era, intellectual and artistic socities were created and a new class of local aristocracy brought a different atmosphere to the everyday life of the town.
However the main goal was enosis with Greece which came after Venizelos's constant opposition to Prince George's rule over Crete.
Chania in World War II
Another important period for the city of Chania was the invasion and occupation by German forces during World War II.
Fortunately, Chania and Crete in general escaped the disastrous consequences of the Greek Civil War of the postwar years. The city of Chania was slowly regaining its normal pace of development during the 1950s, trying to overcome the difficulties that the war had left as an aftermath.
The capital of Crete was moved to Heraklion in 1971.
Historical population
| Year | Municipal Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 47,471 | - |
| 1991 | 50,007 | 2,536/5.34 |
The city today
The city of Chania can be divided in two parts: the old town and the modern city which is the larger one. The old town is situated next to the old harbour and is the matrix around which the whole urban area was developed. The centre of the modern city is the area extending next to the old town and especially towards the south.
The old town
Despite being heavily bombed during World War II Chania's Old Town is considered the most beautiful urban district on Crete, especially the crumbling Venetian harbour. The borders of the Old Town are the mostly destroyed old Venetian wall (and bulwarks) and this has been the cradle of all the civilizations which were developed in the area.
The main square of the Old Town (next to the west end of Kasteli) is the Eleftherios Venizelos Square ("Syntrivani").
Finally, a very distinctive area of the Old Town is the harbour itself and generally the seafront ("akti"). The main street that combines the modern town with the old town is Halidon Str.
Some important sites within the Old Town are:
In Kasteli:
The Kasteli Archaeological Area "Kanevaro" (Minoan) Part of the Byzantine walls The part of the Venetian wall close to the seafront The remains of the Government House ("Palazzo") of the Venetians (17th century) The former Santa Maria de Miracoli Monastery (1615) The Turkish Bath (Hamam) on Katre Str. The house of the rectorate of the Technical University o CreteIn Splantzia:
The Dominican Monastery of St. Nicholas (Now "Agios Nikolaos" church, early 14th century) The church of St. Rocco (early 17th century) The church of Saint Catherine (Agia Aikaterini, late 16th century) The Minaret of St. Nicholas ("Hioughar Tzamissi") The Turkish Subterranean Fountain (18th century)In Topanas and the Jewish quarter:
The Renier building complex (Venetian, late 16th century) The church of San Salvatore (started 15th century) The Etz Hayyim Synagogue The Turkish Bath (Hamam) on Zambeliou Str.On the harbour:
The Lighthouse ("Faros", 15th century) The Mosque of the Janissaries ("Yiali Tzamissi", 17th century) The Venetian Shipyards ("Neoria", late 16th century) The Great Shipyard ("Megalo Arsenali", late 16th century) The Fort Firca (early 17th century) The Bulwark of St. Nicholas of MolosAround Halidon street:
The Greek Orthodox cathedral ("Trimartyri", 1860) The Roman Catholic cathedral (1879) The Franciscan Monastery of St. Francis (now archaeological museum) The Turkish Bath (Hamam) on Halidon Str.Other parts:
The Church of "Agioi Anargyroi" The Bulwark San Salvatore (West) The Bulwark Lando or Schiave or St. DImitrios (South West) The Bulwark of Santa Lucia (East) The Gate and Bulwark Sabbionara (Koum Kapi)The modern part of the city
The modern part of Chania is where most locals live and work. It is less traditional than the old town, but there are still areas of charming beauty or of some historical interest. The oldest district (early 18th century) of the modern city is Nea Hora (meaning "New Town") which is located beyond the west end of the old town.
Other historical buildings in the area include Eftherios Venizelos’s House (built 1876-1880), the old French school (now property of the Technical University of Crete, housing the Department of Architecture), the Church of Agia Magdalini (built 1901-1903) , The “Palace” (built 1882, house of Prince George during the period of the Cretan independence) and The Church of Evangelistria (built 1908-1923). The district of Koum Kapi (the Venetians had first named it "Sabbionara", which means "the Gate of the Sand", the same as "Koum Kapi") situated beyond the walls at the eastern part of the old town, was also one of the first places to be inhabited outside the fortification walls.
Apart from the previously mentioned older districts of the modern part of the town, several new residential areas have been developed during the 20th century, like Agios Ioannis, Koumbes, Lentariana etc. However, there are still some beautiful neoclassical houses especially at the eastern part of Chania and some of the neighbourhoods surrounding the centre are quite picturesque. The plan of the central area is very good, there are some nice parks and several sports grounds, the most important being the Venizeleio Stadium of Chania and the Swimming Pool at Nea Hora. The 1913 indoor market ("Agora"), 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. Some other important sites of the newer urban area are the The Court House ("Dikastiria", built late 19th century), The Public Gardens ("Kipos", created 1870), The Garden Clock-Tower ("Roloi", built 1924-1927), The Episcopal Residence (Bishop's residence, "Despotiko", built early 19th century) and the House of Manousos Koundouros (built 1909), the Cultural Centre ("Pnevmatiko Kentro"). The central largest squares in Chania are the Market Square ("Agora"), the Court House Square ("Dikastiria") and the "1866 Square".
The last two decades there is a profound movement of Chania residents towards the suberbs as well as towards areas around the city which used to be rural, mainly the Akrotiri Peninsula.
| The central Market Square ("Agora") | The Clock Tower on Dimokratias Str. | The Episcopal residence | The church of Agia Magdalini in Halepa | The house of Manousos Koundouros | The area of Tabakaria |
Culture
The cultural background of Chania is very rich, first of all due to the town's long history and its interaction with many diverse civilizations in the past.
The most important museums in Chania are:
Archaeological Museum (Old Town). It houses findings from different parts of the county and from several historical and prehistorical periods of the local history (Neolithic to Roman) Folklore Museum (Old Town) Historical Archive (the second most important in Greece) Maritime Museum of Crete (Old Town) Municipal Art Gallery Byzantine/Post-Byzantine Collection (Old Town) House of E. Venizelos War MuseumSeveral theatre groups are active in Chania with the most important being the Municipal and Regional Theatre of Crete (DI.PE.THE.K) .
The city is also quite cinephile.
During the summer period a variety of cultural events take place on a daily basis. Also, several festivals, conferences or sport events take place in Chania especially between May and September.
Cultural life throughout the wintry period of the year (November-March) is not as rich as in the summer, but it is certainly maintained to a good standard.
A major role in the city's cultural life is played by the Municipal Cultural Corporation of Chania (DI.P.E.X.) which organizes a significant part of the events taking place throughout the year.
There is a French, a German, an Italian and a Swedish consulate in Chania.
Education / Research
Educational institutions located at the greater area of the city are:
The Technical University of Crete . The Chania branch of the Technological Educational Institute of Crete The Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of ChaniaOther research and intellectual insitutes and societies in Chania are:
The National Research Foundation "Eleftherios K. Venizelos" The Mediterranean Architecture Centre (KAM) The Institute of Olive Tree and Subtropical Plants of Chania The Literary Society “Chryssostomos” The Institute of Cretan Law The Historical, Laographical and Archaeological Society of CretePrimary and secondary schools are mainly public in Chania (as in all cities in Greece).
Economy
Two main sources of wealth in Chania are agriculture and tourism. The organization of the Agricultural August has been a recent attempt to promote local quality products including a series of activities organised by the Perfecture of Chania since 1999 and has proved very successful.
On the other hand, tourism has developed rapidly during the last decades, starting from the early 1970s.
There is also some secondary industry with focus on the proccesing-packaging of the agricultural products (some of them export oriented) or manufacture products that support the agricultural production. On the other hand, the growth and development of academic/research institutions in Chania is a challenge for future economic activities by taking advantage of the specialised knowledge of scientists and technicians and by also reinforcing quality tourism (conferences etc.).
An important centre of the economic activities in the town is the Chania Chamber of Commerce and Industry (E.B.E.X.) .
Entertainment / Night life
Chania is a family orientated town, traditionally Cretan in its charm. A big proportion of them is gathered in the Old Town, Nea Hora and Koum Kapi, the coastal areas of the town, but there are several choices around the city as well.
The area of Koum Kapi has developed rapidly during the last decade and nowadays offers a variety of nice choices for mainstream cafes and some restaurants. The ratio of Greek people going there (either locals or visitors) is much higher than in the Old Town, where the atmosphere is more cosmopolitan (not meaning that it is not prefered by Greeks as well).
Cinema, theater and concerts are, among the already mentioned ones, some very common activities for entertainment in Chania, with a fair amount of choices offered and repertoires varying from independent to commercial.
Crete is one of the safest places to walk at night time and Chania was no different until fairly recently.
Sports
Water sports are very popular in Chania and especially the local water polo team (Nautical Club of Chania, N.O.X.
Football and basketball are also very popular in the town, however not as successful.
It also has to be mentioned that there is a very active climbing / mountain walking club (Greek Mountaineering Club of Chania, E.O.S.
Health Care
The main health center in the city is the General Hospital "Agios Georgios" .
There is also a number of private clinics and medical centers specializing in various areas within the town.
Transport
The city is served by Chania International Airport (IATA code: CHQ) on the Akrotiri Peninsula.
There are several flights a day from Athens to Chania, with Aegean Airlines and Olympic Airlines.
Souda, some 7 km from Chania, is the city's port, with daily ferries to Piraeus and a NATO naval base.
Notable people
Eleftherios Venizelos 1864-1936 (prime minister of Greece 1910-1920, 1924, 1928-1932, 1933;
Constantine Mitsotakis *1918 (prime minister of Greece 1990-1993)
Constantinos Manos (politician and writer of the late 19th and early 20th century)
Nana Mouskouri *1934 (the world's highest-selling female recording artist of all time)
Alexis Minotis 1898-1967 (famous stage and screen actor active between 1930s-1980s)
Manos Katrakis 1909-1984 (famous theater and film actor)
Eftichios Bitsakis (philosopher – theoretical physicist)
Kostas Moundakis 1926-1991 (Traditional cretan music composer, teacher and lyra player)
Eleni Daniilidou *1982 (Greece's Number 1 Tennis Player)
Antonios Katinaris 1931-1999 (bouzouki player)
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