Tour of Chania

We will depart towards Akrotiri to visit the Monastery of Agia Triada Tzagorolon, on the Akrotiri peninsula; built in the 17th century it is one of the most impressive monasteries in Crete, located within a wonderful landscape covered with olive and cypress trees. It was built as a theological center and its name Agia Triada means "Holy Trinity". It housed important wooden icons, as well as unique books and a collection of exceptional codices, the few that were saved from destruction at the hands of the Turks can be admired in the monastery's museum. The Byzantine cruciform style monastery has 3 domes, the church and 2 chapels. Among the most important works it houses is a "portable icon of St. John" from 1500, "The Last Judgment" by Emmanuel Skordiles from the 17th century, "The Descent into Hell" from 1855 and a parchment manuscript with the mass of St. Basil.

We will continue with the visit outside the Venizelos Tombs, located in the hills of Elijah, the tombstones of the two prime ministers of Greece, Eleftherios and Sophocles Venizelos, two simple stone slabs with crosses and epitaphs, located in a small park from where we will enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city of Chania.

We will continue to Chania starting with a tour of the Old Town, its main attraction, with its maze of cobblestone streets, its scenic promenade and its beautifully preserved Venetian, Turkish and Jewish quarters. It was once surrounded by the ancient Venetian fortifications, of which only the western and eastern parts have survived. We will walk through the picturesque neighborhoods, discover the hidden places that with their eclectic mix give Chania its unique atmosphere and learn about the traditional way of life in this city.

We will visit the cross-shaped covered market, the Agora, which opened its doors in 1913. Including some 76 stores located in the four arms of the building, we can explore stalls selling fresh fish, meats, cheeses, herbs, spices, clothing, etc., and taste some traditional products such as Cretan graviera cheese and homemade honey; drink some tsikoudia, a pomace brandy unique to Crete; visit a bakery to eat paximadia, a dry bread or go to one of the market's restaurants and order a dakos, bread covered with chopped tomatoes and other ingredients, similar to a bruschetta.

Our last stop will be at the Navy Museum, inaugurated in 1973, on the 32nd anniversary of the Battle of Crete. The museum houses model ships, nautical instruments; objects such as telemeters, barometers, wind gauges, etc. It has paintings, portraits, historical photographs and numerous relics are exhibited, such as uniforms and other objects that belonged to the heroes of the Greek Navy.

We will have free time in the pedestrian area of the Venetian harbor before returning to the port for farewell.


Details

SUPPLEMENTS:

Entrance to the Monastery of Agia Triada: € 3.00 (approx. 4USD) per person and the Navy Museum € 3.00 (approx. 4USD) per person.
Supplements are optional for those who wish to enter (to pay directly on site).
The monuments close the Greek national holidays



OBSERVATIONS:

Easy / Panoramic / Cultural Level
Comfortable shoes required.
People with reduced mobility, who use a wheelchair must be accompanied by another person who can help them. Please use folding wheelchairs, since buses do not have elevators or ramps.

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