Ancient Kydonia

Hania


The discovery of clay tablets with Linear B script during ongoing excavations on Kastelli Hill to the east of the Venetian Harbour has led archaeologists to conclude that present-day Hania sits atop an important Minoan city and palace site called Ancient Kydonia. The finest among the unearthed artefacts are displayed in Hania’s Archaeological Museum. There are information boards in English at the site of the ruins.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Hania attractions

1. Grand Arsenal

0.08 MILES

Impressively restored from a roofless ruin, the 16th-century Venetian arsenal was the last of the 17 shipyard buildings in Hania's Venetian Harbour. After…

2. Mosque of Kioutsouk Hasan

0.1 MILES

One of the prettiest and most dominant vestiges of the Turkish era is this dusky-pink multidomed former mosque on the eastern side of the Venetian Harbour…

3. Church of San Rocco

0.1 MILES

This 17th-century Venetian church was probably built following an outbreak of plague and was turned into a military guardhouse under the Turks. Restored…

4. Venetian Harbour

0.14 MILES

There are few places where Hania's historic charm and grandeur are more palpable than in the old Venetian Harbour. It's lined by pastel-coloured buildings…

5. Church of Agios Nikolaos

0.14 MILES

One of Hania’s most intriguing buildings is this Venetian-era church with both a bell tower and a double-balconied minaret – the latter replaced a second…

6. Greek Orthodox Cathedral

0.15 MILES

This three-aisled basilica with its prominent bell tower is dedicated to the Virgin of the Three Martyrs, Hania's patron saint. The present structure was…

7. Ahmet Aga Minaret

0.15 MILES

Soaring above the rooftops of the charismatic Splantzia quarter, the Ahmet Aga Minaret is one of Hania’s two remaining minarets from the Ottoman era.

8. Hania Archaeological Museum

0.16 MILES

The setting alone in the beautifully restored 16th-century Venetian Church of San Francisco is reason to visit this fine collection of artefacts from…

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