Morning Light Sailboat The Lighthouse Old Town Chania Crete

Morning Light Sailboat The Lighthouse Old Town Chania Crete Greece

The lighthouse of Chania Old Town, located on the northwestern coast of Crete, is one of the most iconic and historically significant structures in the region. Originally built by the Venetians in the late 16th century, around 1570, the lighthouse was part of a broader effort to fortify the port of Chania, a key maritime hub in the Mediterranean. Its design is characteristic of Venetian architecture, reflecting the strategic importance of Crete during this period as a bulwark against Ottoman expansion.

The original Venetian lighthouse was constructed from stone, with a cylindrical tower rising from a square base. It served both as a beacon for ships navigating the treacherous waters of the Cretan Sea and as a symbol of Venetian maritime power. The structure's significance grew over the centuries, surviving numerous conflicts and changes in power.

In the late 19th century, under Ottoman rule, the lighthouse underwent significant reconstruction.