This necropolis, the largest of its period in Crete (1390 to 1200 BC), has already provided many objects (including sarcophagi), some of which are in the museums in Rethymnon and Chania. Nearly two hundred tombs in individual chambers dating from the Minoan era have been found and examined. The size of this cemetery suggests that there was a large town in the area.

The old town was built from the 13C onwards by the Venetians, who enclosed it within a wall that was rebuilt in the 16C to the plans of the great engineer Sanmicheli; a few fragments of the wall are still standing. Don't miss the Kastéli district, which was the site of ancient Kydonia, a rival of Knossós, and the Merchants' District which houses the Naval Museum (historic documents and model ships) and contains old Venetian houses (some doorways have sculpted coats of arms and mottoes).

The massive outline of the Frankish castle (Frangokástele) is visible from afar; it was built in 1371 by the Venetians as a defence against pirates, Turks and insurgent Sfakiots. It is rectangular in plan with crenellated walls and a square tower at each corner, one of which was reinforced to form the keep. It surveys the empty sea as if it were at the ends of the earth (during the low season at any rate). Over the sea gate the lion of St Mark looks down on the remains of the deserted harbour next to a fine sandy beach.

This necropolis, the largest of its period in Crete (1390 to 1200 BC), has already provided many objects (including sarcophagi), some of which are in the museums in Rethymnon and Chania. Nearly two hundred tombs in individual chambers dating from the Minoan era have been found and examined. The size of this cemetery suggests that there was a large town in the area.