Chania Lighthouse, Stone lighthouse in Chania, Greece.
Description
The Chania Lighthouse is a 26-meter stone structure composed of three geometric sections: an octagonal base, a sixteen-sided middle, and a circular top. Each section sits distinctly atop the other, creating a recognizable silhouette along the harbor's edge.
History
Venetian builders constructed the beacon between 1595 and 1601 to guide ships through their harbor. Egyptian administrators later reshaped its upper sections from 1831 to 1841, giving it the varied geometric form seen today.
Culture
The structure reflects a blend of Venetian seafaring traditions and Egyptian design ideas that shaped Mediterranean ports. You can observe how different peoples left their mark on this beacon through its distinctive form and materials.
Practical
The beacon stands at the harbor pier's end with the Firkas fortress nearby, making it easy to locate. Visitors walking to this spot can take in views of the Cretan Sea and the entire harbor basin from its surroundings.
Did you know?
The stone walls were built from the same materials as the Venetian fortifications throughout Chania, revealing how the city was constructed with unified resources. This shared stonework ties the beacon to the broader defense structures that frame the harbor.
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Lighthouses tell the history of sailing with their shapes and building styles. Some go back to Roman times, like the Tower of Hercules in Galicia, a structure from the second century still working today. Others are from the Middle Ages, such as the Hook Lighthouse in Ireland, with its...
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