Ιστορικό Αρχείο Κρήτης

The Historical Archive of Crete was founded in 1920, as a regional department of the General Archives of the State.  

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 "Archeiomnimo"). Any copies that a researcher purchases are for personal use only. Copyright permission must be sought for further reproduction or publication.  

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 Giri" "The Voice of Cret"), 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. 

Local history for the city of Chania and the area within the Chania regional unit (in the past for the island of Crete). 

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.