Description of the attraction
Byzantine Museum of Chania is a museum of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art in the city of Chania on the island of Crete. The museum is located in the historic center of the city, next to the Venetian harbor, in the building of the old church of San Salvatore. It is one of the most interesting museums in the city and one of its most popular attractions.
The collection of the museum is vast and varied, and perfectly illustrates the history of the development of Chania during the Byzantine and post-Byzantine periods. In the museum you can see various ceramics, sculptures, jewelry, coins, wall frescoes, icons (including quite rare Byzantine icons that have retained their original color and have a high artistic value), mosaics, church utensils and much more. For convenience and high-quality perception of information, the collection is divided into thematic exhibitions with an explanation of the origin of each of the items and the observance of the chronology. The exhibits presented in the museum are artifacts found as a result of archaeological excavations in Chania and its surroundings, as well as donations from private collectors.
Of great interest is the building itself, which was once the catholicon of the monastery of San Salvatore. The original structure was built by the Franciscan monks in the 15th century and was extensively expanded over the next 100-150 years. During the period of Turkish rule on the island of Crete, the building housed a mosque. Today, the Church of San Salvatore is not only the home of the Byzantine Museum of Chania, but also an important historical and architectural monument.
