In a city full of picturesque sights, Giali Tzamisi is one of Chania’s most beautiful. The waterfront mosque is a square-shaped building topped by a massive dome and several smaller ones, and its name translates as mosque of the seaside. Visit for art exhibitions and to admire its architecture.
Giali Tzamisi was constructed in the late 17th century to commemorate the first Turkish military governor of Chania, Kioutsouk Hassan. It was the first mosque to be built on the island of Crete.
The building was a Muslim place of worship until 1923, when a population exchange between Greece and Turkey removed the last of the Muslims from Crete. In the years that followed it was used as a storage unit, tourist information office and a museum. Today, it hosts temporary exhibitions and other public events.
Stroll over to the mosque, while you’re down at the Venetian Harbor and look over the exterior. Note that there is no minaret, which is a typical architectural feature of mosques. The tower was demolished during renovations in the early 20th century. Step inside Giali Tzamisi to see what’s on. Among the displays you might see are exhibitions of local art and historical photographs of Chania. Most of the exhibitions and events are held in the summer.
After your visit, sit on the bench in front of the mosque and gaze out across the water. Alternatively, go to one of the nearby cafés and restaurants and enjoy a drink or a meal with harbor views. Then continue on your stroll of the harbor and visit some of its other historic buildings, including the old lighthouse and the bastion of St. Nicholas.
If you are in the harbor area at night, stop by the mosque to see it illuminated in simple white light. Even at a distance the well-lit main dome is an arresting sight.
