Chania

Chania, on Crete's northwest coast, is built upon the site of ancient Kydonia, one of the three most important city-states of Minoan civilization, allegedly founded by King Minos himself. Archaeological excavations on Kasteli Hill since 1966 have uncovered remains spanning from the Proto-Minoan I period (c. 3650-3000 BC) through Late Minoan IIIC (c. 1190-1070 BC). Key discoveries include Linear A and Linear B tablets (the city appears as 'ku-do-ni-ja' in Linear B), residential structures with red-mortared walls, elegantly finished floors, and high-quality ceramics. Kydonia was likely the third largest Minoan town, growing rich through maritime trade that reached Sardinia, Cyprus, and the Levant.