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Chania Lighthouse

Chania, Greece

This stone tower was built to protect Crete from incoming pirates. 

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The current tower dates back to 1864. mossenmoons (Atlas Obscura User)
The current tower dates back to 1864. mossenmoons (Atlas Obscura User)
The lighthouse has a fantastic view of the port. mossenmoons (Atlas Obscura User)
The original tower at this site was destroyed. mossenmoons (Atlas Obscura User)
Chania lighthouse Feb 2024 kadybrownell (Atlas Obscura User)
Lighthouse at sunset joshuacarlon (Atlas Obscura User)
Lighthouse from the harbor joshuacarlon (Atlas Obscura User)
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The lighthouse was originally built by the Venetians in the 16th century. It saw a rocky life, death and rebirth through following years when in 1645, Turks took control of the city and allowed the tower to collapse. In 1864, Egyptian troops raided and rebuilt it. It once again became damaged during WWII, however has now been a listed archeological site since 1862. Of the original building, only the base remains.

A short walk along the defensive wall to the tower reveals views across Chania’s quaint pastel houses, the old Venetian port, and the White Mountains Forest Preserve in the distance.

Know Before You Go

The lighthouse gate is locked, however it is free to walk along the old walls up until the gate.

towers military history
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joshuacarlon
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joshuacarlon, mikewhit1949, kadybrownell
Published
January 24, 2024
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