19 m
Grand Arsenal (Centre of Mediterranean Architecture)
Exhibitions in a Venetian shipyard.
Landmarks & old quarters · Chania
Forts & castles
Venetian Arsenals of Chania
Highlights & amenities
- Entry
- Free
About
The old Venetian shipyards.
The Venetian arsenals, or shipyards, are among the most impressive buildings of Chania's old harbour. They were built between 1526 and 1599, and originally there were 17 vaulted buildings where galleys were built and repaired.
Today seven of them survive, along with the Grand Arsenal. Some are used for exhibitions and events, and one houses a reconstruction of a Minoan ship.
The arsenals are best seen from the harbour or from the breakwater.
The arsenals were among the most important shipyards of the Venetian fleet in the eastern Mediterranean. Galleys were built here and repaired during the long wars with the Ottomans. Some of the vaults are used today for events and exhibitions, and one of them is home to the Minoa, a reconstruction of a Minoan ship that sailed to Athens for the 2004 Olympics.
Around Chania
- Nearest town: Chania, about 1 km by road
- Nearest airport: Chania airport (CHQ), about 15 km by road
The west of Crete is the island at its most dramatic. Chania has the most beautiful Venetian old town on Crete, wrapped around a harbour with a lighthouse and a domed mosque. In the evening the narrow lanes of Splantzia and the old Jewish quarter fill up with tavernas and small bars. More about Chania
Worth seeing nearby
- Grand Arsenal (Centre of Mediterranean Architecture)Landmarks & old quarters · 19 m
- Ancient Kydonia (Kastelli hill)Archaeological sites · 158 m
- Kucuk Hasan MosqueLandmarks & old quarters · 218 m
- Chania Old Venetian HarbourForts & castles · 237 m
Things to do in Chania
Getting there
In Chania itself, easy to reach on foot.
On the map
35.51861, 24.01972 · See on map
Nearby
158 m
Ancient Kydonia (Kastelli hill)
Minoan ruins under Chania's old town.
Archaeological sites · Chania
218 m
Kucuk Hasan Mosque
The domed mosque on the harbour.
Landmarks & old quarters · Chania
237 m
Chania Old Venetian Harbour
Crete’s most atmospheric waterfront: lighthouse, mosque and Venetian arsenals.
Forts & castles · Chania
Hidden gem 242 m
Ottoman Baths of Chania
Old hammam by the harbour.
Landmarks & old quarters · Chania
291 m
Venetian Lighthouse of Chania
The symbol of Chania, at the end of the harbour.
Forts & castles · Chania
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