The Naval Museum in Chania

Among the museums in Chania also the Maritime Museum is well worth a visit.

The Maritime Museum, or Naval Museum of Crete was set up in Chania in 1973 and has already received an award from the Historical-Ethnological Society for its work.
LOCATION: at the entrance to the Venetian fortress ‘Firkas’, which dominated the port entrance.

The “FIRKA” Fortress was constructed by the Venetians (1204-1669) in order to be used as the local garrison. Later Ottomans (1669- 1898) used it for the same purpose and established there the Division Command. The name “FIRKA”, which in Ottoman Turkish language means barrack, is used until today. On the 1st of December in 1913, it was raised here for the first time the Greek flag, a memorable event connected with the Unification of Crete with the motherland Greece.

Nowadays, at the entrance of this Fortress there is the Maritime Museum of Crete, which was founded in order to house and perceive the Greek Maritime Traditions and those of Crete as well.
It was donated by the Navy and operates with the  support of the Region of Crete – Regional Unit of Chania, the Municipality of Chania and the Naval Base of Crete.

The displayed exhibits in the Naval Museum are fascinating, especially for the enthusiast, because of their numerous, marvelous ship models as well as dioramas and old maps of the Venetian Chania as well as ancient sea battles.
The two-storey museum has 13 exhibition areas ranging from ancient times to the Battle of Crete.

This year the permanent exhibition of Ancient and Traditional Shipbuilding will not be presented in the Moro Shipyard. However, a temporary exhibition is hosted by the National Historical Museum of Greece, in the context of the anniversary of the Struggle of Greek Independence.

The programme entitled “ EPANASTASI ’21 Chania” aims to honor the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.

More about the Naval Museum at https://www.cretetip.com/naval-museum/

Source: www.cretetip.com and http://mar-mus-crete.gr