19°C
The Venetian port of Chania, including the Venetian lighthouse, is one of the symbols of the city and a favourite walking area for locals and visitors alike.
Its original construction is placed between 1320 and 1355; however, later on, between 1353 and 1364 it was abandoned, being too shallow and overly exposed to the strong northern and western winds. From then on, the port of Heraklion, which was bigger, was upgraded as the most important one in Crete. The decline of the port of Chaniacontinued with the fall of the city to the Turks (1645), since the conquerors did not involve themselves in its maintenance or repair.
Finally it was Muhammad Ali, the viceroy of Egypt (Crete was under Egyptian rule between 1831 and 1841) who realized the importance of the port to local economy; for that reason, he repaired the pier and conducted dredging works, which were completed in the Cretan State period.
The lighthouse of Chaniadiffers from others of its time and cannot be classified in any standard lighthouse category. The architecture reminds one of a minaret, and it does not include a lighthouse keeper sleeping quarters, given the fact that it is located in an inhabited area.
It is 21 metres high, its beam could reach a distance of 7 miles, and it is one of the oldest lighthouses of Europe, if not of the entire world.
Its foundations were laid by the Venetians on natural rock, circa between 1595 and 1601. Many of its characteristics remind one of the local, Venetian architecture. The material used for building the city walls was also used for the construction of the lighthouse, which has an octagonal base, a 16-corner middle section and another, circular section.
In 1839 it was upgraded with the latest lighthouse technology of the time. The stairway of the eastern side and the peripheral parapet are Turkish additions.
The Venetian shipyards (Arsenali, in Italian) were used for the repairing of ships during the winter, in the years of the Venetian rule. The largest complex was built between 1526 and 1599 and it consisted of 17 vaulted constructions. The Moro arsenals (named after the governor or Provveditore Generale) were built in 1607. Only two of them survive entire today, while the third one collapsed during the bomb-raids of 1941.
Unfortunately, of the largest complex of arsenals only seven survive, plus the Megalo Arsenali (= big arsenal), which houses the Centre for Mediterranean Architecture (http://kam-arsenali.gr). The rest were demolished during the Turkish occupation, when the role of the port had already diminished and maintenance was poor. Those which survived were used as military warehouses.
In order to understand the original use of the arsenals, one must know that they were open to the sea, which would flow into them up to a certain point. They were interconnected by way of arched openings, while one could enter them via one of two gates; the main entrance was located roughly centrally. A part of this gate survives today, at the end of Daskalogianni Street.
Nowadays, the arsenals are often put to new uses. The impressive Moro (http://iox.gr/presentation.html), which was restored between 2009 and 2010, today is the headquarters of the Sailing Club of Chania, as well as one of the most significant cultural spots of the city; it frequently hosts exhibitions, performances, workshops, film screenings etc.
Αρχιτεκτονική, Φάρος
Open-Well maintained
Ενετική Περίοδος, Οθωμανική περίοδος
Παλιό Λιμάνι, πόλη Χανίων
The Rural Greece is an online portal that connects travellers with unique destinations and local businesses in the countryside, offering authentic experiences through activities that highlight nature, traditions and culture.
For the Rural Greece accessibility is fundamental to enhancing an inclusive tourism experience. Following the principles of inclusion and equality, the epaithros Rural Tourism Network and its member businesses are constantly working to enhance the tourism services provided, ensuring that all visitors have the opportunity to experience the authentic beauty of the Greek countryside.
Sustainability in tourism refers to a way of developing tourism that respects and protects the environment while strengthening the local economy and preserving cultural traditions. The aim of sustainable tourism is to provide unique and authentic experiences for visitors without harming the natural and social environment, while ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism activity.
This type of tourism is based on three pillars:
With sustainable tourism, visitors can have authentic experiences, knowing that the impact of tourism on the region is positive and lasting for future generations.
For Rural Greece, localism is one of the most important factors for the development of sustainable tourism, as it promotes a strong link between the tourism product and the local society, economy and culture. Through localism, visitors get the opportunity to explore authentic elements of the destination, such as local products, traditions and culture. This not only boosts the local economy, but also helps to sustain and strengthen local businesses, creating new jobs and supporting the development of local communities.
Furthermore, localism contributes to the sustainability of the tourism sector, as it reduces the use of resources from other regions and encourages the use of local goods and services, reducing the ecological footprint of tourism activities. Thus, integrating localism into tourism practices enhances sustainability awareness, both among visitors and local businesses, creating a more responsible and sustainable tourism destination.
