CHANIA

1100 BC

The appearance of the first settlers. They were Dorian Greeks, who settled on the low hill of Kastelli – now, it is the Venetian port

The mountains surrounding the place provided protection: at that time they made it almost impossible to approach the city.

This is probably why they chose this place.

The end of the Minoan era

 Chania became an important city-state in Greece – its area stretched from the Gulf of Chania to the foot of the White Mountains

The Minoan Crete, and therefore Chania’s economy, was also built on maritime trade: therefore, the port played a very important role.

– developed a flourishing handicraft industry

– its inhabitants built huge palaces

– Minoan writing system was used: Linear A and B – this proves: clay tablets written with this writing, which was found on Kastelli Hill

– Kydonia was at war, with other city-states: Aptera, Phalasarna and Polyrrhenia.

Archaeologists are still excavating in the city.

69 BC

Led by Roman Consul Caecilius Metellus, the army defeated the Cretans and occupied Kydonia.

The reason for the defeat: the Cretans could not face the larger and well-organized Roman army.

But the city continued to develop under Roman rule.

The city received, the privileges of an independent urban state.

3rd century

Kydonia had its own mint, and reserved the right until the 3rd century, to use her own coins

330-824 – First Byzantine Period

330 – Crete was liberated from the Romans but annexed to the Byzantine Empire.

The persecution of Christians began: the Arabs persecuted the Christian population, who moved to the mountains

828 – Chania and the whole island fell into the hands of the Saracens of Cordoba, who almost completely destroyed the city

961 – 1024 – Second Byzantine Period

961– Led by General Nicephorus Phocas, the Byzantines liberated Chania from the rule of the Saracens.

• the Byzantine Empire rebuilt the city
• they fortified the defence of the city with high walls
• the Arabic “Al Chanea” name was changed to the Greek: Chania
• the city was the seat of the diocese, which later under Venetian rule became: the La Canea a Roman Catholic diocese

1204 – 1645 – Venetian era

1204 – After the fall of Byzantium: Crete came under Venetian rule: was given to Boniface I, who also known as Boniface of Montferrat

1252 – Reconstruction of Chania begins

• the city was fortified with a fortress: on Mount Kastelli
• much taller and stronger walls were erected than the Byzantine walls, enclosing a larger area of the city
• the Venetian walls were fortified, with four bastions, towers and an outer moat

With these defensive reinforcements, he was able to defend himself more vigorously: against attacks by pirates and other intruders.

1263 – the rivals of the Venetians are the Genoese, occupied the city under the leadership of Maltese Count Enrico Pescatore.

1285 – the Venetians recapture the city. Chania was chosen as the seat of the region.

• has become a fertile agricultural region
• has become a thriving, major commercial center
• the port has been improved to provide effective protection for the Venetian fleet
• shipyard was built: for shipbuilding and ship repair
• the water supply network has been developed
• the population has grown to 8,000 people
• the city was decorated with imposing public buildings
• it was a period of close connecting of Cretan and Venetian culture, where the Cretans preserved their Greek Orthodox identity

1453 – Priests, monks and artists moved to the island

• the Byzantine religion and culture strengthened on the island
• that’s when they were built significant buildings of the city
• education has improved
• cultural activities were promoted: music, theatre

Ottoman era

1645–1669

• Despite Venetians’ defence-focused construction: the Ottoman army occupied the city after two months of siege
• the siege destroyed much of the city
• the city was rebuilt to Ottoman taste
• people had two options: to convert to Islam or to flee persecution. Many have converted to Islam. Therefore, the ethnic composition of the city has changed.
• the Muslim districts of the city: Kastelli and Splantzia
• the church of St. Nicholas was transformed into a mosque
• new mosques have also been built: the Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque or the Yali Mosque in the port
• tall minarets were built
• public baths and fountains were built
• the Cretan pasha lived in Chania
• Many armed uprisings against the Turks began in Chania Prefecture.

1821-1829 – The Greek War of Independence was unsuccessful! – Ottoman rule remained

Modern era

1866–1869 – the revolt did not bring freedom

1878 – there was again revolt, the result of which: the great powers of Europe turned their attention to Crete:

The Pact of Halepa was signed in Halepa (now part of Chania).

II. Sultan Abdul Hamid, ruler of the Ottoman Empire, and representatives of the Revolutionary Commission of Crete agreed, to grant a wide degree of autonomy to the island of Crete.

1898 – The “Cretan State” was established:

• Crete remained part of the Ottoman Empire
• but under the protection of the great powers
• Chania became the capital of Crete
• Crete issued its own money
• the city regained its economic role between Europe and the East

The Cretan people continued to struggle:

• they wanted real liberation
• they wanted to unite, with Greece

1905 – 1922

1905 – the Theriso Revolution

• the leader of the revolution was Eleftherios Venizelos
• the revolution overthrew the power of Prince George
• Alexandros Zaimis became ruler of Crete

 1908 – Venizelos formed a government, what was also recognized by the Great Powers

1910 – in the election: Eleftherios Venizelos was elected Prime Minister of Greece

1913, 1st December – following the Balkan Wars, Crete was united with Greece.

Ethnic violence in Crete has led to mass migration of the island’s Muslim population.

1922 – Population change between Greece and Turkey. As a result, the last Muslim inhabitants of the island were deported.

1941-1945 – Chania in World War II

1941 –  the Battle Of Crete – Germany began occupying Crete, with planes: it dropped paratroopers.

The Cretans were helped by British forces: British forces bombed German forces. Artillery of British forces were stationed above Dexameni in the southern part of the city.

At the heart of the operations was:

• Chania
• Malame Airport
• Galata, which was the port of Chania

• after the bombing of the Luftwaffe, the destruction was not complete
• many historical monuments have been saved
• a significant part of the population was executed or imprisoned for taking part in the fight against the Germans
• the Greek king fled first to the village near Perivolia and then to Egypt
• In 1944, the Nazi occupiers deported the Jewish population from the island

A great tragic event: when a British torpedo accidentally destroyed the Tanais ship, on which most of the Jewish prisoners were being transported.

Post-World War II era

1950 – the post-war reconstruction began, and development

1970 – International tourism began in Crete. Tourism has significantly helped the city’s economy.

1971 – Heraklion became the capital of Crete

 Since the 1990s:

• Chania and the region have once again become the center of development and ascension
• significant infrastructure investments have been made
• an airport was built
• Crete has become a very popular holiday destination in Europe