The Origin of the City's Name

Scholars have tried for years to analyse the etymology of the name, Hania, and to decide when the name changed from Kythonia to Hania. The new name is first met as Cania in the document "Sexteriorum Cretensiu in Militias divisio" in 1211. Then, the name Canea is mentioned in the document relinquishing the Hania area to the Venicians, in 1252. As for the change of the name from Kythonia to Hania, the most convincing view is of Prof. N. Platonas, who associated it with the existence of a large village ‘Alhania', named after the God Valhanos (Vulcan). The Saracen Arabs found this name easier to use, but confused it with their own word ‘Al Hanim' (the Inn). After the departure of the Arabs, the syllable ‘Al', probably taken to be the Arab article ‘Al' (the), was dropped when the name was translated into the Greek - ‘Hania' and the Latin ‘Canea'.

Historically and archaeologically, the hill of Kasteli is one of the most significant areas of the city as it has been inhabited since Neolithic times. The factors which contributed to the uninterrupted use of Kasteli as a residential area were: its geographic position and the fertile plain to the south, both contributed to making the district an important commercial and transport junction. Excavations have brought to light remains dating from the first Minoan period 2800-2000 BC. The houses of that period are large with well-constructed rooms, the walls and floors are painted in a bright red colour. Also inhabited in the Post-Minoan period 1580/1550 - 1100 BC.

According to evidence offered on the clay tablets in Linear A script found on the hill, the area was reserved for royal use. Between 1380 and 1100 BC it developed into a commercial centre in constant communication with the rest of Crete and Greece. A historically significant ceramic workshop, known as ‘the Kythonia Workshop' has also been found in the Hania area. It now belongs to the post-royal period.

The Historical Years -1st millennium BC

During the so-called Historical Years, Kythonia seems to have been a powerful city-state, whose domain extended from Hania Bay to the base of the White Mountains. Kythonia was constantly at war with other city-states - Aptera, Falasarna and Polyrrinia. In 69 BC, the Roman Consul Cointus Metellus defeated the Cretans and conquered Kythonia to which he granted the privileges of an independent city-state.

Kythonia reserved the right to mint its own coins until the 3rd century AD. The Roman conquest put an end to the civil wars and a period of peace began, unique in the history of the island. The Kythonia of the Historical Years was of the same size as the city of Hania at the beginning of the 20th century.

First Byzantine Period, 3rd Century AD - 823

Information about the Kythonia of the Christian Years is limited. The most important archaeological finds are those of the remains of a Basilica, discovered recently near the Venetian Cathedral in the centre of Kasteli. Various sources mention the Kythonia Diocese and the Bishop Kythonios, who participated in the Sardinian Synod in 343. Kythonia is mentioned among the 22 most important cities of Crete in the ‘Document of Ieroklis' in the 6th Century. The Kythonia Diocese is also mentioned in all the ‘Ecclesiastical Minutes' (regularly), before and after the Arabian Occupation.

The Arabian Occupation (823-961)

The occupation of Crete by the Arabs was effected gradually during 821 to 824. The consequences of the Arabs arrival in Crete were rather painful for the local population, who were subjected to a long, horrible period of slavery and resulted in the alienation of Crete from the Byzantine Empire. St. Nicholas Stouthitis was born in 763 in Kythonia, which he left at the age of 10 to go to Constantinople. In 961, Nikiforos Fokas managed to free Crete and bring it back under the control of the Byzantine Empire.

The Byzantine Period (961-1204)

The first action of the Byzantine Empire, after re-conquering Crete, was to re-establish their authority and power. Not only were all traces of the Arab occupation removed, the defence of the island had to be also organised quickly to avoid any Arab attempt to retake the island. Thus, strong fortifications are constructed along the coast at strategic positions. The hill of Kasteli was fortified with a wall along its perimeter. This was constructed with building materials taken from the ancient city. It is still regarded as a remarkable military accomplishment and a proof of the continuous existence of the city in the period between the Arab and the Venetian occupations.

The Venetian Occupation (1204-1645)

After the 4th Crusade and the dismantling of the Byzantine Empire, in 1204, Crete is given to Bonifacio, the Marquis de Monfera. He, in turn, chose to sell it to the Venetians for 100 silver marks. In 1252, the Venetians manage to subdue the locals as well as the Genoans, who, under the leadership of the Count of Malta Henrico Pescatore, had seized Crete. Hania was chosen as the seat of the Rector (Administrator General) of the region and flourished as a significant commercial centre due to the fertility of the land. Contact with Venice leads to the social, economic and cultural conditions necessary for the growth of a culture strongly affected by both the Venetian and the local element.

The Turkish Occupation (1645-1898)

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