Culture of Grand Baie. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

In addition to magnificent beaches, Grand Baie boasts an abundance of unique attractions, which would be of interest to any traveler. An interesting cultural institution is the Museum of Kissamos keeping a collection of interesting archaeological artifacts. The museum is presently housed in a beautiful historic building demonstrating an original combination of different architectural styles. Fans of historical sights would probably be interested in a tour of the ruins of the ancient village Polyrrhenia. It is considered to be the very first settlement founded on the islands. Archaeologists are still working on the archaeological site. A collection of priceless finds is kept in the aforementioned archaeological museum.

An equally interesting landmark is Venizelos graves. The historic area is located on a high hill near the international airport. During the walk, visitors can see not only priceless historical sites but also enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding area. An important archaeological sight is Aptera Reserve, a miniature old town founded back in the Minoan era. Here you can see the ruins of ancient buildings; during the tour, tourists will learn about the most important historical events of that time.

Architectural monuments of a later period include Itzedin Castle dating back to the 19th century. The first fortress was built on its site back in the 17th century, later its footing became the foundation for a new castle. The castle was originally used for holding prisoners, and during the tour, visitors can see several preserved prison cells. In the middle of the 20th century, the fortress changed its purpose to become a warehouse. Travelers for whom local attractions are not enough can be recommended to visit the city of Chania located close to Grand Baie. It is also famous for unique Venetian-style architectural monuments and various museums. One more good place for walks is the small town of Kolymvari that boasts an abundance of interesting buildings, attractive shops and markets. Copyright www.orangesmile.com