Lighthouses of Greece: Chania, Crete Island
Latitude: 35º 31' 10'' N, Longitude: 24º 1' 0'' E
The Lighthouse has a height of 21 meters and the light covers a distance of 7 miles. It is the oldest not only of Greek and Mediterranean coasts, but also one of the oldest in the world. For more than 5 centuries the lighthouse of Chania has been standing at the entrance of the city's old harbor. The lighthouse has been acknowledged as the trademark of the city all around the world. Its history is connected with the history of the city's harbor. In 1212 A.D. the Venetians conquered Crete. Then they decided to build a new city on the remains of ancient "Kydonia" (today's Chania). The harbor was constructed between the years 1320 and 1356 A.D. The works carried on for the next 200 years, it was during that period when the lighthouse was constructed in a different of today's form. Documented information about his first lighting machine does not exist, as there is not any evidence to show when it stopped working as torch open flame. From 1645 until 1830, Crete was under the Turkish occupation but they never used the harbor at Chania, instead they used the natural harbor at Souda. In 1830 England handed Crete over to Egypt and between 1847 - 1859 the lighthouse was restored. In 1864 the lighthouse came under the French Company Ottoman Lighthouses. The lighthouse was reconstructed on its original base. The new lighthouse is now different from the old one. It looks like a minaret with an internal stairway that leads to a balcony with a glass tower. The tower is divided by three diverse parts: the part of the base is an octagon, the middle section is sixteen sides, and the third round. The material of the base is the same origin and quality that the Venetians built the fortifications of the city of Chania.
Lighthouses of Greece: Rethymno, Crete Island
Latitude: 35º 22' 12.5'' N, Longitude: 24º 28' 39.5'' E
The lighthouse was manufactured in 1864 located in the harbor of Rethymno. Recent studies have shown that the origin is Egyptian and was built-in 1838 by Mehmet Ali, the period 1830-1840, when Crete was left to the Egyptians in exchange for their services to Sultan in Crete and the Peloponnese during the Greek Revolution. The height of the tower is 9 meters & the focal height is 49 meters, with easy access for romantic walks. When the night falls, "erases" the eyes because of the almost non-existent lighting.
Lighthouses of Greece: Ag. Ioannis, Crete Island
Latitude: 35º 20' 27'' N, Longitude: 25º 46' 20'' E
The lighthouse was manufactured in 1864 from the French Company of Lighthouses in Northern part of Crete. The altitude of tower is 9 m and the height of focal plane is 49 m. It is located in the end of cape Agjos Ioannis and included in the Greek lighthouses network in 1912-13 after the end of Balkan Wars. A historical monument protected by law 3028/02 on "Protection of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage" and by Law 2039/92 on "Ratification of the Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe." Thousands of visitors each year visit the region to admire this impressive building. The particular aesthetic Lighthouse Aforesmenou facing big problems and static maintenance is now a ruin, in fact in danger of collapsing. The oldest part of which was a tower that existed here, has disappeared and in recent years lost the metal cover of the lamp. The twisting staircase is open and anyone who wants rises to the top of the lighthouse. Around the area grows various herbs, shrubs and flowers that are trying to give color and life in the countryside. Efforts are being made to repair the lighthouse but the Greek bureaucracy has not allowed yet. Recently opened road that leads to the lighthouse for the transportation of materials to repair and enhance.
Lighthouses of Greece: Sideros, Crete Island
Latitude: 35º 18' 57'' N, Longitude: 26º 18' 38'' E
The lighthouse was constructed by the French in 1880 and rebuilded in 1952. The height of tower is 16 m and the focal plane 45 m. The area is also known as Agios Isidorus, "the gift", for a church established there many years ago after a monk came ashore. He built the little church to give thanks to God, since he had been adrift at sea for many days. Below the cape is a foundation and parts of columns from a ruined temple to Athena which was destroyed by an ancient tsunami that swept the coast of Crete after an eruption on Santorini Island. Small islands and large rocks are scattered off Cape Sideros as well as the dangerous Sideros Reef about 548 m east of the cape. Ships make landfall here and round the cape as they steer in and out of the Libyan Sea.
Lighthouses of Greece: Drepano, Crete Island
Latitude: 35º 28' 23'' N, Longitude: 24º 14' 25'' E
The lighthouse was manufactured in 1864 from the French company of lighthouses. The altitude of octagonal stone tower is 7 m and the height of focal plane is 60 m. Near to the lighthouse exists the little stone house of light-keeper. Located East in the northern side of Crete, near "Souda" bight in the cape "Drepano" 50 m above the surface of sea. It was included in the Greek lighthouses network after the Balkan Wars 1912-13 but destroyed from the Germans in the 2nd World War and rebuild in 1948. The band is rocky, inaccessible and the most near village, named "Kokino", is about two-three hours by foot. The coast is very dangerous for each boat that will approach.
Lighthouses of Greece: Gavdos Island, Crete Island
Latitude: 34° 50′ 21.19″ N, Longitude: 24° 03′ 31.36″ E
Located about 23 miles south of Sfakia town in Crete, in the dreamy island of Gavdos, the southernmost land of Greece as well as the southernmost border of Europe. Established at 1880, rebuilt at 2003. The original lighthouse stood in the same spot and was a round tower 9 m standing 56 m above the sea and it was visible 25 miles. About 400 people lived on Gavdos at the time the lighthouse was established. The lighthouse was totally destroyed by fire during World War II. After the war it stood in ruins and skeleton tower light replaced it. Today a 4 meter metal framework tower provides the beacon flashing once every second from a skeleton light tower on tiny Gavdopoula (means "Little Gavdos") island just offshore of Gavdos Island. Gavdos Lighthouse a replica of the original light tower stands on the highest point of the northwest part of Gavdos Island. So in light of the historic lighthouse was extinguished. To replace this later constructed another lighthouse in cape Gavdos SE on Trypiti cape, the southernmost point of Europe. In 1989-1990 built in this part another beacon that works with solar cells. In 2003 a replica of the original lighthouse was built with European Union funding and opened as a museum about the history of the lighthouse with rooms photos and old equipment. The base of the old lamp was placed in a side near the lighthouse. Ruins of the 1880 tower lie nearby. Today the lighthouse is one of the attractions of the island with spectacular views!
The replica lighthouse is accessible by a ferry twice a week between Sfakia on Crete and Gavdos Island. The replica lighthouse is open most days, but is closed for a few hours midday. It has a small population, but is visited by tourist since it is the home of the mythical nymph Calypso of Homer's. The Apostle Paul was here as well on his way to Rome to stand trial. Fifteen centuries later, the pirate Barbarossa used Gavdos as his hideout. The island has splendid beaches, fragrant herbs, pines and cedars and it is a popular stopover for more than 120 species of migrating birds.
Lighthouses of Greece: Heraklion, Crete Island
Latitude: 35º 20' 40'' N, Longitude: 25º 8' 12'' E
This lighthouse was manufactured at 1864 and it's located in the harbor of Heraklion in Crete Island. Today are saved only his certain ruins.
Latitude: 35º 31' 10'' N, Longitude: 24º 1' 0'' E
The Lighthouse has a height of 21 meters and the light covers a distance of 7 miles. It is the oldest not only of Greek and Mediterranean coasts, but also one of the oldest in the world. For more than 5 centuries the lighthouse of Chania has been standing at the entrance of the city's old harbor. The lighthouse has been acknowledged as the trademark of the city all around the world. Its history is connected with the history of the city's harbor. In 1212 A.D. the Venetians conquered Crete. Then they decided to build a new city on the remains of ancient "Kydonia" (today's Chania). The harbor was constructed between the years 1320 and 1356 A.D. The works carried on for the next 200 years, it was during that period when the lighthouse was constructed in a different of today's form. Documented information about his first lighting machine does not exist, as there is not any evidence to show when it stopped working as torch open flame. From 1645 until 1830, Crete was under the Turkish occupation but they never used the harbor at Chania, instead they used the natural harbor at Souda. In 1830 England handed Crete over to Egypt and between 1847 - 1859 the lighthouse was restored. In 1864 the lighthouse came under the French Company Ottoman Lighthouses. The lighthouse was reconstructed on its original base. The new lighthouse is now different from the old one. It looks like a minaret with an internal stairway that leads to a balcony with a glass tower. The tower is divided by three diverse parts: the part of the base is an octagon, the middle section is sixteen sides, and the third round. The material of the base is the same origin and quality that the Venetians built the fortifications of the city of Chania.
Lighthouses of Greece: Rethymno, Crete Island
Latitude: 35º 22' 12.5'' N, Longitude: 24º 28' 39.5'' E
The lighthouse was manufactured in 1864 located in the harbor of Rethymno. Recent studies have shown that the origin is Egyptian and was built-in 1838 by Mehmet Ali, the period 1830-1840, when Crete was left to the Egyptians in exchange for their services to Sultan in Crete and the Peloponnese during the Greek Revolution. The height of the tower is 9 meters & the focal height is 49 meters, with easy access for romantic walks. When the night falls, "erases" the eyes because of the almost non-existent lighting.
Lighthouses of Greece: Ag. Ioannis, Crete Island
Latitude: 35º 20' 27'' N, Longitude: 25º 46' 20'' E
The lighthouse was manufactured in 1864 from the French Company of Lighthouses in Northern part of Crete. The altitude of tower is 9 m and the height of focal plane is 49 m. It is located in the end of cape Agjos Ioannis and included in the Greek lighthouses network in 1912-13 after the end of Balkan Wars. A historical monument protected by law 3028/02 on "Protection of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage" and by Law 2039/92 on "Ratification of the Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe." Thousands of visitors each year visit the region to admire this impressive building. The particular aesthetic Lighthouse Aforesmenou facing big problems and static maintenance is now a ruin, in fact in danger of collapsing. The oldest part of which was a tower that existed here, has disappeared and in recent years lost the metal cover of the lamp. The twisting staircase is open and anyone who wants rises to the top of the lighthouse. Around the area grows various herbs, shrubs and flowers that are trying to give color and life in the countryside. Efforts are being made to repair the lighthouse but the Greek bureaucracy has not allowed yet. Recently opened road that leads to the lighthouse for the transportation of materials to repair and enhance.
Lighthouses of Greece: Sideros, Crete Island
Latitude: 35º 18' 57'' N, Longitude: 26º 18' 38'' E
The lighthouse was constructed by the French in 1880 and rebuilded in 1952. The height of tower is 16 m and the focal plane 45 m. The area is also known as Agios Isidorus, "the gift", for a church established there many years ago after a monk came ashore. He built the little church to give thanks to God, since he had been adrift at sea for many days. Below the cape is a foundation and parts of columns from a ruined temple to Athena which was destroyed by an ancient tsunami that swept the coast of Crete after an eruption on Santorini Island. Small islands and large rocks are scattered off Cape Sideros as well as the dangerous Sideros Reef about 548 m east of the cape. Ships make landfall here and round the cape as they steer in and out of the Libyan Sea.
Lighthouses of Greece: Drepano, Crete Island
Latitude: 35º 28' 23'' N, Longitude: 24º 14' 25'' E
The lighthouse was manufactured in 1864 from the French company of lighthouses. The altitude of octagonal stone tower is 7 m and the height of focal plane is 60 m. Near to the lighthouse exists the little stone house of light-keeper. Located East in the northern side of Crete, near "Souda" bight in the cape "Drepano" 50 m above the surface of sea. It was included in the Greek lighthouses network after the Balkan Wars 1912-13 but destroyed from the Germans in the 2nd World War and rebuild in 1948. The band is rocky, inaccessible and the most near village, named "Kokino", is about two-three hours by foot. The coast is very dangerous for each boat that will approach.
Lighthouses of Greece: Gavdos Island, Crete Island
Latitude: 34° 50′ 21.19″ N, Longitude: 24° 03′ 31.36″ E
Located about 23 miles south of Sfakia town in Crete, in the dreamy island of Gavdos, the southernmost land of Greece as well as the southernmost border of Europe. Established at 1880, rebuilt at 2003. The original lighthouse stood in the same spot and was a round tower 9 m standing 56 m above the sea and it was visible 25 miles. About 400 people lived on Gavdos at the time the lighthouse was established. The lighthouse was totally destroyed by fire during World War II. After the war it stood in ruins and skeleton tower light replaced it. Today a 4 meter metal framework tower provides the beacon flashing once every second from a skeleton light tower on tiny Gavdopoula (means "Little Gavdos") island just offshore of Gavdos Island. Gavdos Lighthouse a replica of the original light tower stands on the highest point of the northwest part of Gavdos Island. So in light of the historic lighthouse was extinguished. To replace this later constructed another lighthouse in cape Gavdos SE on Trypiti cape, the southernmost point of Europe. In 1989-1990 built in this part another beacon that works with solar cells. In 2003 a replica of the original lighthouse was built with European Union funding and opened as a museum about the history of the lighthouse with rooms photos and old equipment. The base of the old lamp was placed in a side near the lighthouse. Ruins of the 1880 tower lie nearby. Today the lighthouse is one of the attractions of the island with spectacular views!
The replica lighthouse is accessible by a ferry twice a week between Sfakia on Crete and Gavdos Island. The replica lighthouse is open most days, but is closed for a few hours midday. It has a small population, but is visited by tourist since it is the home of the mythical nymph Calypso of Homer's. The Apostle Paul was here as well on his way to Rome to stand trial. Fifteen centuries later, the pirate Barbarossa used Gavdos as his hideout. The island has splendid beaches, fragrant herbs, pines and cedars and it is a popular stopover for more than 120 species of migrating birds.
Lighthouses of Greece: Heraklion, Crete Island
Latitude: 35º 20' 40'' N, Longitude: 25º 8' 12'' E
This lighthouse was manufactured at 1864 and it's located in the harbor of Heraklion in Crete Island. Today are saved only his certain ruins.