Skridlof Street (Leather Street), Chania

It is said one hasn't seen Chania if one hasn't seen Skridlof Street. It is a small, narrow alley close to the harbor. It is more well known as "Leather Lane." The street was the home of shoemakers and bootmakers for a long time. The popular "Stivania," tall Cretan boots, were made here.

The age of the bootmakers is long past. Nowadays, the shops lining the crowded alleyway are devoted to selling leather products manufactured elsewhere. Despite this, it is still possible to order hand-made boots like those worn in the countryside. The customary getup includes wide, baggy trousers called "vraka" and a black head scarf.

The street is open year-round but especially busy at tourist times. The low, low prices of yesteryear are no more, but the leather products are still high quality. The street also sells jewelry, ornaments, souvenirs of Crete, hand-crafted embroideries, and of course, T-shirts.