Chania is an old town - it is mentioned in Homer's Odyssey and since then have seen ancient Greek, Bysantine and Arab rulers. Four centuries after the crusade town lived under Venetian rule. Many of the important buildings of the town were built during this era and the intellectual activities (written word, music, education) were also promoted. Old Venetian quarter still lures tourist crowds to Chania, though many buildings were also built during Ottoman Turkish governance - including the archeological museum. Town's food market also resides in a spectacular building well worth visiting.
