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In the old center of Chania - in the area known as Kastelli - are on the hill behind the harbour in Odos Kanevaro and several other streets around it, the excavations of the ancient city Kydonia, which was situated here in Minoan times. Kydonia was one of the most important Minoan cities on the island. Much of old Kydonia is still buried under the houses. The objects that have been found in the ground are display at the Archaeological Museum of Chania.
In Kastelli you can see ancient city walls with incorporated fragments of stones and pieces of columns that are 3000 years old. The first city walls date from the early Byzantine period (828 BC). These walls were destryed by Arab pirates (the Saracens) and later during the second Byzantine period rebuilt using pieces of antiquity. During the Venetian period (after 1204) the walls were further reinforced - between 1336 and 1356. Two hundred years later, they were again made even stronger.
According to legend Kydonia was founded by King Kydonia Cydon, who was a son of Hermes and Akakallis, the daughter of the legendary King Minos. Many graves were found (and sarcophagi) from the Minoan period and also a fresco from the late Minoan period. The city flourished during the Roman period. From this period are the mosaics that can be admired in the museum.
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