Chania Town, Commonwealth Cemetery & Monastery of Agia Triada Tsagarolon

The Places

The city of Chania lies around 40 km (25 mi) from the west end of Crete. By road, the distance is approximately 52 km (32 mi)Despite being heavily bombed during World War II, Chania’s Old Town is the most beautiful urban district on Crete, especially the crumbling Venetian harbour. The borders of the Old Town are the mostly destroyed old Venetian wall (and bulwarks) and this has been the cradle of all the civilizations which were developed in the area. The central part of the old town is named Kasteli and has been inhabited since Neolithic times. It is located on a small hill right next to the seafront and has always been the ideal place for a settlement due to its secure position, its location next to the harbour and its proximity to the fertile valley in the south.

Commonwealth Cemetery is located approximately 5 km east from the centre of Chania (Xania). From Chania follow the Suda Boulevard road for approximately 4 km until you arrive at the junction of Ellis and then turn left following the signs for the Airport and Vlite. Proceed for around 200 metres along this road until you arrive at the junction of Mavridaki Street. Turn left onto Mavridaki Street and follow this road for 400 metres until you come to the CWGC sign on the right hand side. Proceed for a further 100 metres and turn right at the next CWGC sign. The cemetery is in an olive grove.

The Patriarchal Monastery of Agia Triada Tsagarolon is one of the most important monasteries of the end of the Venetian Empire in Crete with a great contribution to the History and Education of the island. It is located on the foot of Stavros mountain chain, in the area “Tzompomilos” of Meleha cape.

According to the tradition that is also confirmed with documents from the archives of Venice, it was built by the brothers Ieremias and Lavrentios Tsagarolon that came from a great Venetian-Cretan family and had a powerful influence in the Orthodox population and the Catholic Venetians.

The Tour