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Giali Tzamisi

Γιαλί Τζαμισί Γιαλί Τζαμισί

A bright example of Islamic art of the Renaissance, distinguished by its uniqueness, Giali Tzamisi is the only from preserved Mosques of the city that was built during the second half of the 17th century. It was built to honor the first Sergeant of Chania, Kioutsouk Hassan, and the studies conducted by the 13th Ephorat of Byzantine Antiquities concluded that on its position there used to be a small temple. 

The Mosque is a cubic building covered by a large hemispheric cupola, supported by four elaborate stone-made arches. Its west and north side is surrounded by an arcade covered by six small cupolas. Initially, the arcade was open, as it usually the case in other Mosques. In 1880, the arcade was covered, it had arched openings and developed a neoclassic style.  

The Mosque Kioutsouk (meaning "little") Hassan or Giali Tzamisi (meaning, the Mosque of the Seaside), as it is commonly known, was the work of an Armenian architect, who had constructed a similar Mosque in the village "Spakiano" in "Selino". The Mosque also had a courtyard with palm trees and graves of janizaries and it was closed in 1923.  Nowadays, the Mosque has been renovated; however its small picturesque minaret was demolished in 1920 (or in 1939).

The Archeological Museum of Chania was hosted there, after many adventures due to war, with the care of the famous professor Nik. V. Tomadakis. Later, the Mosque was used as a storage place, a Museum of Folk Art, a Tourist Information Office and recently, as a space for exhibitions and events. 

 

Bibliography

  1. Amoutzopoulou Th.: "General Guide of the Chania Prefecture", Chania, 1954
  2. Andrianakis Mihalis: "The Old City of Chania", Athens, 1997
  3. Dimotakis Georgios: "Chania through Time", Athens, 1969.
  4. Kalomenopoulou Nikostratou: "Cretan Issues", Athens,1894
  5. Manolikakis Leonidas: "A Walk in the Old City of Chania", yearly publication of the Municipality of Chania, Chania, 1983
  6. Nikolakaki Z. Minoos: "The Old City of Chania", Athens, 1961
  7. Simandiraki Zaharenia: "Memoirs of Chania", Chania, 2006
  8. Fournaraki K.G.: "Our Chania", Chania,1928
  9. Fournaraki K.G.: "Turkish Cretans", Chania,1929
  10. Hidiroglou Pavlos: "History of the Mosques of Chania", Cretan Chronicles, volume KA/1969