Crete, Episode 4

Although still very busy with my literary and artistic activities (Article Saturday), I really wanted to provide you an article this week.

Some go on holiday in a few days, others are still thinking about their destination, any occasion is good to get away and the subject of the day was then found.

Here we go again in Crete; I chose to show you Chania with the old city part, to be able to admire its ancient vestiges and stroll in its paved streets with countless small shops and taverns.

Chania with 3 times less inhabitants than Heraklion, is the second largest city of Crete (about 55,000 inhabitants). Until 1971 it was the capital of the island.

Just like Heraklion or Rethymno, the city crossed the ages since Antiquity and the wars and invasions with: Minoan period, Byzantine period, then Venetian (the fortifications around the city date from this time), Turkish (construction of many mosques, fountains and public baths), and finally Ottoman.

Thus, we still find today the influence of all these cultures: the mosque of the Janissaries, the Venetian port with its lighthouse of the 15th century, the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of 1860, the Roman catholic cathedral ... But the city also has several museums very interesting like the Archaeological Museum.

​​Boat trip in Souda Bay, a few kilometres from Chania to enjoy a pleasant sea and make a stop on Marathi Beach, the only beach on the north coast facing south, watch out for sunburn!

In April 1941, 25,000 soldiers, mostly New Zealanders and Australians, have been to Souda to fight against the Nazi occupation. The Allied military cemetery designed by architect Louis de Soissons is here to remind it us.

​​And now I am taking you to one of my favourite beaches, on the west coast of Crete: Elafonissi.

​With its crystalline waters, white and pink sand, this beach is the perfect place to relax on a hot day ...
And it reminded me of the beautiful beaches of Australia.
 
At low tide you can even walk to the island of Elafonissi directly opposite.

Feel free to re-read the previous episodes:
Crete, Episode 1
Crete, Episode 2
Crete, Episode 3

No article next week, I'll be away to celebrate my birthday with lots of fun (July 1st), I'll tell you (almost) everything in my next article on July 13th!

​Good week to all and happy holidays!!
 
Love & Sea,
L.