The old town of Chania was built from the 13C onwards by the Venetians, who enclosed it behind walls; these were rebuilt in the 16C to plans by engineer Sanmicheli and a few vestiges remain. Explore the Kasteli area, which was the site of ancient Kydonia, a rival of Knossos, as well as the Topanas area, home to the Nautical Museum of Crete (historical documents and model ships) and old Venetian houses (some doorways are carved with coats of arms and mottoes).