Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: Chania

The Holy Byzantine Church of Zoodochos Pigi Samarina (Ιερός Βυζαντινός Ναός Ζωοδόχου Πηγής – Σαμαρίνας) was built in the 12th century. The church was built as the catholicon of the women’s monastery which is considered to be founded by Andronikos II Palaiologos. From the monastery survive today only the ruins of cells, the cistern and one cemetery church nearby. Architecturally the church belongs to the type of cross-in-square church with a dome supported by two columns. During later stages they added the narthex, with the open portico on the western side, and the bell tower, which is considered Frankish, in the 13th century. The walls are built very carefully, at the lower part with large rectangular stones that came from ancient buildings, and the upper part with rich ceramic decoration. At the interior of the church there are impressive wall paintings, with characteristic the monumental representations of Christ’s life. Nowadays the Church of Zoodochos Pigi (Liife Giving Source) is the metochi (= embassy church) of the Voulcanou Monastery . It is located in the middle of nowhere between the villages Kalogerorachi and Ellinoekklisia. It is considered being one of the most beautiful; and well preserved Byzantine monuments of the Peloponnese

The old harbour of Chania - situated next to the old city - was built in the mid 14th century by the Venetians during their occupation of Crete. It was an important center, serving the Venetian military ships, as well as one of the most important commercial ports of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. In the 16th century the harbour was included to the new fortification plans of the city of Chania. During the period of the Turkish rule, the port continued to be a trade center. Much later, in the19th - early 20th century, the largest ships at that time, had to anchor outside the harbor and reach the pier by boat. The port gradually abandoned and today the Venetian harbour offers moorage for fishing boats and other small boats and yachts. The promenade along the water is lined with cafes, restaurants, bars and tavernas (PiP). A little bit further away you will find the (former) Turkish Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque (PiP) and the Venetian shipyards and arsenals (PiP). Another landmark is the lighthouse, built at the harbour entrance by the Venetians and restored between 1830 and 1840 in its present form by the Egyptians. (Four images stitched together for the main image)