Chania: The Historical Journey and Fortification of Kydonia

Explore the history of Chania, from Ancient Kydonia and the Venetian Kastelli to the majestic walls, bastions, and the harbor that define the city today.

Chania, the most prominent city of western Crete, is built upon the site of Ancient Kydonia. The city existed until the end of the Early Byzantine period, when it was destroyed by the Saracens in 828 AD. Following the expulsion of the Arabs, the Byzantines built a fortress on the hill known as Kastelli to secure the settlement.

The Venetian Era and the Great Walls 

The Venetians, recognizing the strategic importance of the location, rebuilt and colonized the city in 1252 (naming it La Canea). They initially settled on Kastelli hill, constructing the Cathedral of Santa Maria and the Rector’s Palace. The destruction of the surrounding districts by the Genoese in 1266 highlighted the urgent need for wider fortifications.

The first city walls were completed by 1356, but they proved insufficient. In 1536, the renowned Venetian engineer Michel Sammicheli arrived to design a new, state-of-the-art fortification system. Completed in 1568, these walls featured:

• Perimeter: 3,085 meters, flanked by a massive moat 50 meters wide.
• 4 Bastions: San Salvatore (NW), Schiavo/San Dimitrio (SW), Santa Lucia (SE), and Sabionera (NE).
• Main Gates: The Retimiota Gate (leading to Rethymno), the Sabionera Gate (Sand Gate), and Porto San Salvatore.

By 1630, the fortress boasted 319 cannons. However, in 1645, Ottoman forces captured Chania after breaching the wall at the Schiavo bastion.

Ottoman Rule and Modern Times 

During the Ottoman occupation, the gates were renamed - Sabionera became Kum Kapi and Retimiota became Kale Kapisi. The square in front of Kale Kapisi (now Kotzampasi Square) became a site of execution for Christians, including Bishop Melchizedek in 1821. Ottoman rule finally ended on November 3, 1898.

While much of the southern fortification was demolished in the early 20th century to make way for modern housing, significant sections remain preserved today. Visitors can still admire parts of the western walls, including the Schiavo bastion and the San Salvatore bastion (Firkas Fortress), which stand as monuments to Chania's multi-layered history.