Within the Venetian outer walls of ancient Candia, the old Jewish quarter is found right beside the seafront. Four synagogues once stood in this district, its perimeter today delimited by Venizelou, Makariou, and Giamalki streets. The last, still active at the start of the Second World War, was bombed. The Hotel Xenia has been built upon its ruins.

Several neighboring Venetianhouses were inhabited by Jews, as was the building housing the Historical Museum. Two sculptures in its Heraldic collection depict tow crowned lions brandishing sabers. They once belonged to the powerful Sephardic Saltiel and Franco families.