Chania Lighthouse, Chania (must see)
The Venetians built the original Lighthouse of Chania Harbor in the late 16th century. It had a fortified base and was fitted with a barrier chain that could seal off the inner harbor from invaders. The chain could be running from the lighthouse to the fortress of Firkas on the far shore.
The lighthouse, the fortress, and the chain failed to keep the Turks away. During Ottoman rule, the lighthouse fell into ruin. The lighthouse tower was rebuilt between 1824 and 1832. It took the form of a minaret. It is often called "Egyptian" because it was rebuilt during the Egyptian occupation.
The base of the lighthouse is the original fortified Venetian base but without the carving of the Lion of Saint Marc, the Venetian icon. The "Egyptian" version of the lighthouse was seriously undermined by bombings in World War II. The earthquakes didn't help either. The lighthouse was seriously renovated in 2005.
The Chania Lighthouse sits at the end of a long mole at the mouth of the enclosed harbor. The mole is a favorite stroll for visitors and locals. The minaret has an internal stairway leading to a balcony with a glass light tower. The light flashes red every 2.5 seconds.
The best time to visit the lighthouse is in the morning or evening to avoid the heat of the day while walking on the mole. The views from the lighthouse of the sea, harbor, and town are spectacular. On a clear day, the sunsets over the sea are unforgettable.
The lighthouse, the fortress, and the chain failed to keep the Turks away. During Ottoman rule, the lighthouse fell into ruin. The lighthouse tower was rebuilt between 1824 and 1832. It took the form of a minaret. It is often called "Egyptian" because it was rebuilt during the Egyptian occupation.
The base of the lighthouse is the original fortified Venetian base but without the carving of the Lion of Saint Marc, the Venetian icon. The "Egyptian" version of the lighthouse was seriously undermined by bombings in World War II. The earthquakes didn't help either. The lighthouse was seriously renovated in 2005.
The Chania Lighthouse sits at the end of a long mole at the mouth of the enclosed harbor. The mole is a favorite stroll for visitors and locals. The minaret has an internal stairway leading to a balcony with a glass light tower. The light flashes red every 2.5 seconds.
The best time to visit the lighthouse is in the morning or evening to avoid the heat of the day while walking on the mole. The views from the lighthouse of the sea, harbor, and town are spectacular. On a clear day, the sunsets over the sea are unforgettable.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chania. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Chania Lighthouse on Map
Sight Name: Chania Lighthouse
Sight Location: Chania, Greece (See walking tours in Chania)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Chania, Greece (See walking tours in Chania)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Chania, Greece
Create Your Own Walk in Chania
Creating your own self-guided walk in Chania is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chania Introduction Walking Tour
The Dorians arrived in Crete circa 1100 BC. Before then, there was a Minoan settlement called Kydonia. Its remains was excavated in today's city of Chania.
In 69 BC Roman Consul Caecilius Metellus conquered the city. In 395, the Byzantines took over, replaced by Arabs in 824. The Byzantines returned in 961. Enter the Venetians in 1252. The ever ubiquitous Ottomans took the reins in 1645.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
In 69 BC Roman Consul Caecilius Metellus conquered the city. In 395, the Byzantines took over, replaced by Arabs in 824. The Byzantines returned in 961. Enter the Venetians in 1252. The ever ubiquitous Ottomans took the reins in 1645.
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles