The Trimartiri is the Greek Orthodox cathedral of Chania, the church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary on Halidon Street, the main street that runs down through the old town to the Venetian harbour. Its pale façade and tall bell tower face a small square of the same name. For about two centuries of Ottoman rule the older church on this site was a soap factory, and the story of how it became a church again is one of the city's favourite tales.
The Trimartiri Cathedral at a glance
- Where: on Halidon Street in Chania's old town, facing Athenagoras Square (also called Mitropoleos Square), a few minutes' walk from the Venetian harbour.
- Built: around 1850–1860 on the site of a much older church; completed in 1860.
- What it is today: the cathedral of the Metropolis of Kydonia and Apokoronas and the church of Chania's patron saint, the Virgin of the Presentation.
- Time needed: 15–20 minutes inside and on the square; longer during a service.
From soap factory to cathedral
A church dedicated to the Virgin has stood here since at least the Venetian period; some sources date the first one to the 14th century. After the Ottomans captured Chania in 1645, the building was turned into a soap factory, with the boiling vats where the bell tower now stands. According to tradition, the icon of the Presentation of the Virgin survived in a storeroom of the factory, with an oil lamp kept burning in front of it. The factory eventually failed, and in the mid-19th century the Ottoman authorities handed the site back to the Christian community. The new three-aisled church was completed in 1860.
The cathedral was badly damaged during the Cretan revolt of 1897 and repaired at the expense of the Russian tsar, who also gave the bell. It was hit again by German bombs in May 1941, during the Battle of Crete, and restored after the war. In 1947 its feast day, 21 November, was made the official feast of the city, and it is still a local holiday in Chania.
What to look for
- The bell tower on the north-east side, standing roughly where the soap vats once boiled; the tsar's bell hangs inside.
- The three aisles: the central one is dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin, the north aisle to St Nicholas and the south aisle to the Three Hierarchs.
- The Venetian touches inside: carved pilasters, cornices and arched openings that echo older Cretan building, and a women's gallery above the side aisles.
- The large icons on the east wall, painted by Cretan artists, and the old icon of the Virgin kept in the narthex.
- The statue of the Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras on the square in front, which is named after him.
The legend of the well
Two stories explain how the church came back to the Christians, and both are told as legends. In one, a worker in the soap factory had a vision of the Virgin, left his job and took the icon with him. In the other, the son of a pasha fell into a well just south of the building; his father prayed to the Virgin, the child was pulled out alive, and the grateful pasha returned the church and helped pay for a new one. Most accounts link him to Mustafa Pasha, the Ottoman governor of Crete who later became grand vizier.
Tips for your visit
- Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and keep your voice down; this is a working cathedral with daily services.
- Come on 21 November to see the city's biggest religious festival, with a procession and the square full of people.
- For a photo of the whole façade and bell tower, stand at the far side of the square; the morning light suits it best.
Nearby
- Venetian harbour: the old port with its lighthouse and the Küçük Hasan Mosque, a few minutes down Halidon Street.
- Skridlof Street: the narrow lane next to the cathedral, known for its leather workshops and shops.
- Etz Hayyim Synagogue: the restored synagogue of Chania's former Jewish quarter, a short walk away, a quiet place with a garden.
- Roman Catholic church: the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary on Halidon Street, built on the site of a Capuchin monastery.
See Chania with World City Trail
Our Chania scavenger hunt turns the old town into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around 2 hours, with about 42 minutes of walking. It leads you through the alleys of the old town and around the Venetian harbour. You can play in English, German, French, Italian, Dutch and Greek.
If you prefer a different format, there is also a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game in Chania.
Play the Chania scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Chania →
Play the outdoor escape game in Chania →
Facts checked in October 2026.