The famous Naval Museum of Crete is located in the city of Chania, at the harbor entrance, at the Venetian fortress of Firka (in Turkish means division).
The original construction of the fort (1204-1669) aimed to the installation of the local guard while in the same time it was used as a prison for prisoners convicted to death penalty. Then, when the Turks prevailed on the island, they used it to install the Administration of the Division, from where it took its name.
It was established in 1973 by the Navy, for the viewing and the acquaintance of visitors with the naval history of Greece.
The museum consists of the ground and the upper floor and has a total area of 840 sq. m. The museum includes 13 sections and 2 exhibitions, which include about 2500 exhibits.
The Naval Museum of Crete is second in seniority and in the number of the exhibits, after the Naval Museum located in Piraeus and welcomes many visitors.

The large number of exhibits includes ship models, instruments and appliances, paintings, heirlooms, items that were retrieved from the seabed, shells, photographs, etc. and is divided into 13 sections, including all chronological periods.
In addition to various exhibits, the Naval Museum of Crete, alongside its foundation, it also included the creation of a library, which, over the years and the considerable donations, has enriched with valuable and rare editions.
The most important part of the library includes books of Naval History and Greek and of other languages books of Philosophy, Religion, Literature, History, History of Greece, Geography, Applied Sciences, Technology, Encyclopedias.

The total area includes approximately 2500 artifacts, including ship models, various instruments and appliances, paintings, heirlooms, items that were retrieved from the seabed, shells, photographs, etc. and is divided into 13 sections, covering all chronological periods.

Sections

Bronze Age - Classical and Hellenistic Period (2000 BC - 6th century AD) It includes models of triremes, biremes, ancient trading ships and naval illustrations from Median wars (Salamis, Mycale, etc.) and Peloponnesian War. It also includes maps representing the campaign of Alexander the Great. Finally, you can see a model of a Minoan ship and the restored ship at the permanent exhibition at Neorio. Byzantine Period (324 - 1453) Ship models with the completion of rowing shipping and the beginning of the yacht shipping of Byzantines. Venetian Period (1204 - 1669) Depicted a model of the Venetian city of Chania, and one with three Neoria and a series of old maps, and models of famous ships. Independence Struggle (1650 - 1909) Exposed portraits of admirals and captains who distinguished themselves in combat and models of various ships. Balkan Wars (1912-13) It presents important photographs and models of ships of that era. There are also naval charts and historical excerpts marks. Second World War (1940 - 1944) Presentation of the torpedoing of "ELLI" by an Italian submarine in peacetime. Material of war equipment of ships of that era and a model of the bridge of a destroyer ship. Also, models of heroic ships and submarines as well as Captains and crew's photographs. Thumbnail of the Tomb of the Unknown Sailor. Hymn to the Flag. Exhibition of the Battle of Crete with photos and equipment material that was used during the resistance. Documents also include the Charter of naval operations and the Monumental Complex of the Battle of Crete. Postwar period (1944 - present) Remarkable photographs of models of ships and war material of the same era. Merchant Naval Exhibition Important photos and models of Greek merchant ships, passenger ships, tanker ships from various eras and presentation of the contribution of Merchant Navy to economy. Traditional Greek Shipping Exhibition The exhibits include models of various types of traditional vessels that for centuries had successfully served the needs of the island and coastal populations. Marine Environment Exhibition Meet the marine environment and particularly the underwater world that presents a rich collection of shells from around the world and aim to highlight the need to raise awareness for the conservation of equilibrium.

Access
Easily accessible for every person by public transportation or by car, as it is located in the center of Chania (there are several parking spaces within walking distance from the Museum).
For your convenience, you can consult the access map on the right of the page.

Permanent Exhibition of Ancient and Traditional Shipbuilding in Neorio
Neorio
The concession by the Ministry of Culture, of one of the Venetian Neoria of Moro, at the head of the old port of Chania, gave the opportunity of the restoration of Neorio and of creation of a permanent exhibition by the Naval Museum with important exhibits in order to be a tourist attraction since it is the only one visitable place from those surviving in the Venetian port, with the parallel operation of the permanent exhibition, which includes:

• Exhibition of Ancient Shipbuilding
  The reconstructed Minoan ship is the main exhibit in conjunction with the tools and the materials used, and also a complete series of photographs showing the stages of construction and the experimental voyage.
• Traditional Shipbuilding Exhibition
  Traditional boats are exhibited, fishing equipment, tools of old shipwrights, sailors' knots, hoists, the fishing on Crete (1845-1979), etc.