Casa Delfino in the old Venetian town of Chania is a splendid sample of Venetian architecture within a historical continuum of 800 years, filled with memories and feelings that remain unaltered in time. Its history resembles an exciting fairytale that is worth telling. It all started in 1847 with Augustin Preve, a knight of the Order St. Maurice and Lazare. A shipowner and a captain, Augustin sailed throughout the Mediterranean Sea carrying goods. On one of his trips, as he was transporting freights of codfish to Syria, a tempest in the Cretan Sea set him aground at the Castle of Gramvoussa and he had to seek refuge in the Cappuccin monastery. However his cargo was not lost, but to the contrary brought significant profit when he sold to the locals. Codfish turned out to be a profitable commodity in Chania. So, he decided to remain there and requested another shipment of codfish be sent from Marseille. Along with the cargo, his wife Bianca and their children Petro and Margaritte came to live with him in their new home in the mediterranean.
As their business flourished they decided to settle down in Chania permanently. He purchased the Venetian building, which is now Casa Delfino, in the heart of the town near the church and the harbor circa 1855-1860.
When his daughter, Margaritte, came of age to marry, a suitable groom was found in Marseille. So Margaritte began her great journey to meet her future husband, but fate intervened, and on her way to Marseille she fell in love with the captain of the ship, the charming Italian Petro Delfino. Thus Marseille was forgotten, and the young couple made their way back to Chania. The mansion was given to Margaritte as part of her dowry and became known as Casa Delfino. The couple resided here raising six children. One of their children, Giovanni, married Eleni Skouloudi and they, in turn, had Margaritte and Pedro. All future generations continued to live in this house. Granddaughter Margaritte married Clearchus Markantonakis and bore three children.
Although Casa Delfino survived the German occupation, it was sustaining the damages of abandonment and time. Until in 1986 it passed into the hands of Manthos Markantonakis, 5th generation descendant of the family, and with great care and effort was restored to its present form. We invite you to come and experience the history of Casa Delfino. Enjoy the authenticity that few other hotels in Crete can offer the distinguished traveler. Coupling the conveniences of a contemporary lifestyle with the sophistication of culture and history, Casa Delfino is centuries in the making. Surround yourself in elegance, beautiful architecture and unparalleled services, which are the signature of Casa Delfino.