Museum sights in Hania
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Archaeological Museum
Hania's Archaeological Museum is housed in the superb 16th-century Venetian Church of San Francisco that became a mosque under the Turks, a movie theatre in 1913 and a munitions depot for the Germans during WWII. The museum houses a well-displayed collection of finds from western Crete dating from the Neolithic to the Roman eras. Artefacts from 3400 BC to 1200 BC, to the left as you enter the museum, include tablets with Linear A script.
There is some exquisite pottery from the Geometric era (1200-800 BC) and a case of bull figurines. Among the Hellenistic and Roman exhibits, the statue of Diana is particularly impressive. There is a marble fountain in the pretty courtyar…
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Naval Museum
The Naval Museum has an interesting collection of model ships dating from the Bronze Age, and naval instruments, paintings, photographs and memorabilia from the Battle of Crete.
It is housed in the Firkas Fortress, once the old Turkish prison.An authentic replica of a Minoan ship, which sailed from Crete to Athens as part of the Athens 2004 Olympics ceremonies, will be the star attraction of the museum's new Ancient and Traditional Maritime Museum annexe in the Venetian ship sheds being created at the far end of the harbour.
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Folklore Museum
The village of Gavalohori, 25km southeast of Hania, makes a pleasant stop. The main attraction is the Folklore Museum, which is located in a renovated building that was constructed during Venetian rule and then extended by the Turks. The exhibits are well labelled in English and include examples of pottery, weaving, woodcarving, stonecutting and other Cretan crafts, including the fine kapaneli - intricately worked silk lace. A historical section documents Cretan struggles for independence.
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Vatsiana Museum
In Vatsiana, the island's priest has created a small private museum in an old stone house with items collected from the island, including agricultural and domestic tools, a loom and weavings. There is a small working traditional wood oven next door and the priest's wife, Maria, runs the quaint attached kafeneio, where you can try her ouzo and cake.
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Historical Museum and Archives
The Historical Museum and Archives, southeast of the old quarter, traces Crete's war-torn history with a series of exhibits focusing on the struggle against the Turks. There are also exhibits relating to the German occupation and a folklore collection.
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Mlitary Museum
As you enter Askyfou from Hania, signs direct you to the Mlitary Museum, which displays the gun and military odds-and-ends collection of Georgios Hatzidakis, who is eager to show you around.
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Cretan House Folklore Museum
Hania's interesting Cretan House Folklore Museum contains a selection of crafts and implements including weavings with traditional designs.
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