At the entrance of the port of Chania is situated the Fortress “FIRKA”, which was constructed by the Venetians (1204-1669), in order to establish the local guard and at the same time to use it as a prison for the persons condemned to death.
Later on, the Turks (1669- 1898) used it for the same purpose and established the Division Command there. The name “FIRKA”, which in the Turkish language means DIVISION, remained since then.
Today, at the entrance of this Fortress is situated the Maritime Museum of Crete, which holds a concessive position since here, on December 1st 1913, the Greek flag has been hoisted, sealing the UNION OF CRETE with the motherland Greece.
The museum is easily accessible by car and there is parking space available in the area. Also, one can combine a visit to the museum with a pleasant walk around the Venetian Harbor and the Old Town.
The Maritime Museum of Crete was founded in 1973 in order to accommodate and present our naval traditions, and especially those of Crete, which they constitute a part of the national glory.
These are the traditions that the Greek waves have made a chantey throughout the centuries and our national conscience bequeaths from generation to generation.
The M.M.C. in Chania is located in the beneficial area at the entrance of the Fortress of Firka, where on December 1 st 1913 the Greek flag has been hoisted as the crowning of the Union of Crete with the Motherland Greece.
The MMC is the second maritime one in antiquity in Greece, after the Maritime Museum of Greece in Piraeus and it welcomes approximately 36,000 visitors per year.
Note:
Open daily: 9:00 - 14:00 from 1/11 - 31/03. and 9:00 - 19:00 from 01/04 - 31/10
