The Venetian Walls of Chania were constructed by the Venetians to protect and fortify the city. Initially, they repaired the existing Byzantine walls and organized the urban layout within these boundaries. However, as the population grew and the city expanded beyond the original fortifications, a more robust defense system was required. In 1536, under the direction of renowned Veronese engineer Michele Sanmicheli, the city underwent significant fortification. Additional enhancements were made in 1563 by G. Savorgan and Admiral Renier.
The Venetian walls featured four bastions, numerous towers, and an outer moat. The walls formed an almost square shape, extending to a perimeter of 3085 meters. The moat, which ran parallel to the walls, was 1942 meters long, 10 meters deep, and 50 meters wide. To increase their defensive effectiveness, the bastions were reinforced with smaller structures known as ramparts, positioned at a higher level.
One significant rampart is the Agia Ekaterini (Santa Caterina) Rampart, located above the San Salvatore Bastion. This rampart played a crucial role in defending the western side of the fortifications and the sea approach. It formed a rectangle with its narrow side facing the sea. Nine gun emplacements were discovered, strategically covering the area towards the harbor entrance, the sea, and the western side. On the south side of the rampart, a restored gate and a machine gun from the German Occupation period can be found. In the southeast corner, a rough crypt was unearthed, dug into the masonry’s thickness, which had been used during the Occupation.
Means of Access:
- Car
- On Foot
Disabled Access:
- Yes
