Ιστορικό Αρχείο Κρήτης
- Historical Archive of Crete
- Istoriko Archeio Kritis
Address
Phone
Fax
History
The Historical Archive of Crete was founded in 1920, as a regional department of the General Archives of the State.
Geographical and Cultural Context
Local history for the city of Chania and the area within the Chania regional unit (in the past for the island of Crete).
Mandates/Sources of Authority
The GSA in Chania is a public archive in Greece.
Building(s)
The Archive is housed in a neoclassical building in Chania, where it maintains its headquarters.
Archival and Other Holdings
The Historical Archive of Crete comprises the largest regional historical Archive of the Country, aiming at the collection, protection and research of archives and relics related to the Cretan history. The over 200 archive collections of the Institute include about 1.000.000 public and private documents from 1821 to date. Of particular historical significance are:•The documents referring to the Cretan revolutions against the Ottoman and Egyptian occupation in the second half of the 19th century until the integration of Crete in the Greek State after the second Balkan War in 1913.•The private correspondence of leading personalities of the military and political history of Crete.•The official archives of the Ottoman administration, as well as of the Autonomous Cretan State (1898-1913).•The archive related to the Second World War, a valuable source for the period of the German occupation and the heroic resistance of the local population. Another section comprises the complete record of Cretan Press, which includes rare printed papers, such as the "Vakai Girit" ("The Voice of Crete"), the first newspaper printed on the island in 1831 by the Egyptian authorities. It’s worth mentioning that the newspaper was printed in both languages, namely Greek and Arabic. The archival material is complemented by a rich photographical collection, as well as by a specialized library with approximately 10.000 titles of books, among them some rare editions. A valuable addition is also the folklore archive of Pavlos Vlastos.Within the Historical Archive premises is also housed a museum, open to the public, with a significant historical and folklore collection.
Finding Aids, Guides, and Publication
The holdings are indexed and computer-searchable on-site with archivist's assistance.
Opening Times
The reading room is open Monday to Friday: 8.30 am to 14.30 pm. The Archives are closed on public holidays.
Conditions of Access
Photocopying is by request only and involves an assessment by staff to determine if it is possible, with the item's preservation needs of the item taking precedence. Digital cameras are allowed. The use of lap-tops is permitted. Researchers must seek the written permission of the archivist before publication of any material from the archival holdings, and such publication much acknowledge the Archives source.
Research Services
Research room is equipped with computers whose on-site Intranet programs allow searching and viewing material not accessible to the off-site (Internet) user.
Reproduction Services
There are charges for photocopying/digital output. Services free of charge: entry to the reading room; use of finding aids/catalogues/computers; assistance from staff. Some archival holdings have been digitized and are available for viewing and printing at no cost on the Greek State Archives website's Digital Archive Collections/ Historical Archive of Crete ("Archeiomnimon"). Any copies that a researcher purchases are for personal use only. Copyright permission must be sought for further reproduction or publication.
Dates of Creation and Deletion
Date of creation: 2/12/2014.
Sources
Entry by V. Ritzaleos based on information provided by the staff.