1100 BC – The Achaean and Laconian settlers began building the city in Late Minoan period
– had an aristocratic political system: like that of Sparta

– the area was inhabited even before the city was built
– the flourishing of the city-state from the 6th century (Archaic period) to Roman times
– It was the 2nd most important city-state in West Crete: Kydonia, today’s Chania, was the largest

– the rivals of the city-state: Knossos, Kydonia, and neighbouring Phalasarna – there was hostility between the city-states

10th century [swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] – the Venetians occupied the city

– the Venetians built fortress on the foundations of the older Hellenistic and Roman fortress

– the remains of the fortress we can see today: from the 2nd Byzantine and Venetian periods [/swpm_protected]

The city-state in the notes of the Greek historian Strabo:

[swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] – the Polyrrhenians used to live in villages: who built a strong city

– 219 BC – the Crete Civil War: troops were sent to help the Achaeans: because the Cnossians supported the Aetolians

– Polyrrhenia prevented, that the rival cities dominating the island: Cnossus, Gortys

– the city continued to flourish in Roman times [/swpm_protected]

[swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] – Cisamus, today’s Kissamos, was the port of the city

– Polyrrinia played a significant role in Roman times. The city leaders made a strategic decision: they entered into an alliance with the conquerors, and thus defeated his oldest enemy: ancient Cydonia, today’s Chania

– Roman aqueduct built during the reign of Emperor Hadrian: it helped a lot in the water supply [/swpm_protected]

1942-44 – result of the first excavations in Polyrrinia
– the city was strongly fortified in Byzantine times
– the place of worship dates from this era

1986 – the archaeological excavations began again
– the site shows the remains of ancient walls: 3.0 to 5.5 m high