Photo: Orestis Seferoglou

The Hellenic Maritime Museum

Photo: Orestis Seferoglou

Greece's strong maritime history told through maps, ship models, nautical instruments and everything naval.

When was it built

Founded in 1949 and housed in its current location since 1969.

What's the story

The first attempt to found a museum dedicated to Greece’s maritime history was in 1867 by Captain Gerasimos Zohios. But the project was not realised until influential Piraeus residents banded together with naval officers and lobbied the Greek government for an official archive of the country’s maritime achievements 82 years later.

Why it's important

This unsung little museum narrates the country's mighty naval past from antiquity to the 20th century. Exhibits include miniature vessels, naval instruments, weapons, furniture, and wonderful paintings, maps and engravings.

Must-see

The exhibition on the fortification of the harbour by Themistocles in the 5th century BC and the importance of triremes and ship sheds during this era (there’s an excellent video illustrating this).

Fun fact

A whole section of the museum is devoted to the private collection of Aristotle Onassis, a trove of sea-related treasures that once adorned his extravagant yacht, the Christina.

Photo: Orestis Seferoglou

Orestis Seferoglou

Eat & Drink

Eat & Drink

Eat & Drink

Eat & Drink

The Hellenic Maritime Museum

Greece's strong maritime history told through maps, ship models, nautical instruments and everything naval.