| Elyros, Ancient city |
at 41.5km (W) from Frangokastello
Elyros ("Έλυρος" in Greek) is an ancient city, located in southwest Crete, in Kefala Hill, near the village Rodovani and is presently unexcavated. Elyros was flourishing at least as early as the Greek Classical Period, e.g. 500 to 350 BC. In the Classical Period Elyros was the most important ancient city in southwestern Crete, having about 16,000 inhabitants. It was an industrial and commercial city with large weapons production. Syia and Lissos were its harbours. Apollo, Phylakides and Philandros, sons of Apollo and nymph Akakallida, were worshiped there. In the third century BC Elyros was at war with Kydonia, an important center of Cretan power, located in the modern city of Chania. The citizens of Elyros sent to the Delphi Oracle, a bronze votive complex that represents a goat feeding the sons of Apollo when they were infants. It is also one of the thirty cities that signed the decree with Eumenes B’ in 183 BC.Elyros was also important during Roman times. A Roman statue, the Philosopher of Elyros was recovered here and is now in the Archaeological Museum of Chania. During Byzantine times, Elyros was the seat of an Archbishop and the remains of the bishopric church, a sixth century basilica, can still be seen in the centre of the old city. Robert Pashley was the first who identified the location of the city, near village Rodovani. Thenon studied more carefully the ruins of the city and discovered the inscription that says: “it seemed to the city of the Elyrians”. The output of its mint consists of silver drachms from the 3rd c. BC, which depict a wild goat and a bee; in addition to their function as religious symbols, these undoubtedly hint at the stock-raising activities in the region, particularly to this kind of wild goat, which can still be found in great numbers on the island. The bee also has reference to the abundant honey-production of Crete.
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| Kriti Hotel |
at 41.6km (NW) from Frangokastello
Hotel Kriti is centrally located in Chania, at the meeting point of the famous old Venetian harbour and the commercial centre of the city. It has elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and private balcony. Kriti rooms feature a satellite TV, minibar and wardrobe. They all have their own bathroom with hairdryer and bathtub or shower. You can enjoy delicious light meals at the snack bar or buffet-style menu at the breakfast room. Guests can have fun in the pool, spend some time in the TV room or relax in the hotel's lobby. Enjoy the magnificent view over the town, Koum Kapi Beach and the White Mountains. The hotel’s staff is at your service 24 hours a day. Hotel Rooms: 98
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| Chania city |
at 41.7km (NW) from Frangokastello
Hania (or Chania) is the capital of the Prefecture of the same name and the second biggest town in Crete, with a population of 60.000 inhabitants. It lies (Coordinates 35°31' N 24°1' E ) along the North coast of the island, about 55 km west of Rethymnon and 140 km west of Iraklion (Heraklion). Hania's old town (although it was heavily bombed by Germans in World War II) is considered as Crete's most beautiful urban district, especially the Venetian harbour with its 16th century lighthouse and the Mosque of the Janissaries ("Giali Tzamissi", built 17th century). Many of the old buildings have been restored as hotels, restaurants, shops and bars, making the old town a lively and colourful place, especially during the tourist period.
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| Hania Municipal Market |
at 41.7km (NW) from Frangokastello
The Market, impressive for its size and shape, is built in the shape of a cross with 76 shops grouped according to their wares in the four arms of the cross. The south façade is particularly well constructed out of chiseled limestone, in the architectural style of the local tradition, developed during the Venetian period. Its construction was completed in 1913 and the formal opening was made by Eleftherios Venizelos on 4th December 1913 as part of the celebrations for the Unification of Crete to Greece.
Panoramio™ Photos [Area]
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| Argo Beach Hotel |
at 41.8km (NW) from Frangokastello
Situated in Chania’s Koum Kapi area, Argo Beach Hotel is only 100 metres from Chania’s Old Town and Venetian Port. It has an in-house tavern on the ground floor. Argo Beach offers air-conditioned rooms with furnished balconies with sea view. There is a common fridge on each floor that all guests can use. A leisurely stroll in the area will take you to Chania’s cobbled streets and their range of souvenir shops, ouzo bars, cafes and traditional taverns. Hotel staff and management will be happy to inform and assist you with everything you might need during your stay. Argo Beach is 12 km from Chania Airport and 6 km from the port of Souda. Free public parking is available next to the hotel. Hotel Rooms: 9.
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| Park for the Preservation of Flora & Fauna |
at 41.8km (NW) from Frangokastello
At a time that living organisms are disappearing at an alarming rate, especially through habitat destruction, the Park for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna of the Technical University of Crete, which extends to 30 hectares, constitutes a small but important area where native plants and co-existing animals are protected and can develop without human intervention. Up to now 250 different plant species that grow naturally in habitats of the Park have been identified, while their systematic documentation is still in progress. The development of new ecological units (“habitats”) began in areas of the Park that have been cultivated in the past. These will include plant species of Crete that do not grow naturally in the Park. Two such units, the wetland and the coastal habitats have already been launched. www.park.tuc.gr/
Panoramio™ Photos [Area]
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| Municipal Art Gallery of Chania |
at 41.8km (NW) from Frangokastello
An institution of culture, that aims in the creation of necessary "space", where the various sectors of Art, Science and Literature can coexist, each seeking the contribution of the other, thus becoming feasible the materialization of visions that each one of these means of expression of the Human spirit, to be able offer to the community. Address: 98-102, Chalidon Street, 73 131 Chania, Crete, Greece Phone number: +30 28210 92294 / +30 28210 36190 E-Mail: info@pinakothiki-chania.gr Links: Dimodiki Pinakothiki Hanion
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| Hania Archaeological Museum |
at 41.9km (NW) from Frangokastello
The museum is housed in the katholikon of the Venetian monastery of St. Francis. During the period of the Turkish occupation it was the Muslim mosque of Yussuf Pasha, while in modern times it was used as a cinema or a storehouse for military equipment. Since 1963 it has been functioning as the Archaeological Museum of the city. Apart from the permanent exhibition, the museum houses temporary exhibitions in the frame of certain local events 25 Chalidon Str., tel. +30821 90334 It contains impressive finds from the excavations of the ancient city of Kydonia, from Idramia, Aptera, Polyrinia, Kissamos, Elyros, Irtakina, Syia, Lissos, Chania, Axos, and Lappa.
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| Neos Ikaros | Agia Galini, South Rethimno
at 42km (E) from Frangokastello
On the edge of Agia Galini, this family run hotel is built amphitheatrically on a slope, covering an area of 6,000 acres. It offers an outdoor swimming pool and a garden with playground. The 29 comfortable rooms of Neos Ikaros have bathroom and shower large balconies which view Agia Galini and the sea. All rooms have air conditioning, fridge, telephone and cable TV. Breakfast is served in the dining room or on the roof garden. The snack bar located next to the pool serves drinks and local delicacies. The hotel New Ikaros is built at the end of the village, only 200 meters from the centre and 300 metres from the sea. Guests have access to car/motorbike rentals and entertainment venues. Hotel Rooms: 29
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| Fatma Boutique Hotel |
at 42km (NW) from Frangokastello
Situated in the Venetian Harbour, right at the heart of the Old Town and 500 metres away from the beach of Chania, Fatma Boutique Hotel offers stylish rooms with free Wi-Fi. Each includes tea-and-coffee amenities and comfortable seating areas. Fatma Boutique Hotel's spacious rooms feature warm-coloured fabrics, design furnishings, a flat-screen TV and espresso maker. Slippers are provided in the bathrooms which offer toiletries and a hairdryer.Some rooms have a balcony or terrace. A varied breakfast is served at the breakfast room. Hot and cold beverages and cocktails can be offered at the bar or the sun terrace. Hotel Fatma Boutique is close to many shops, restaurants and nightlife. Free public parking is available at a nearby location. Hotel Rooms: 6
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