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The building you are in was built in 1650 by Jews, who were brought from Spain by the Venetians during their occupation of Crete in the middle ages.
The building was initially used for the manufacture of soap and this explains its split levels, called tabakades.
The windows were set low in order to allow the soap to dry in the draft.
The thick wooden beams were placed close to each other to avoid movement during the stamping of the soap.
The timber used for its construction was sourced from chestnut trees and trees from the Black Sea area.
Later, when the building was taken over by the Greeks, it functioned in turn as a school, wine store and spirits distillery for ouzo, liqueurs and tsikoudia.
More recently it served as a cheese factory and confectioner’s kitchen.
From 1976 to 1988 the renovated building operated as a coffee shop, bar and restaurant on three floors.
In 1988 the building was completely destroyed by fire.
Since 1991, after comprehensive safety checks, the building has housed the taverna with live music and fresh traditional dishes.
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