VOYAGE – Greek Shipbuilding and Seafaring from antiquity to modern times

The Museum Herakleidon presents the history of Greek seafaring in the Aegean and the Mediterranean, through maritime voyages, achievements in naval architecture, exchange of ideas and technological developments.

Around 40 handmade wooden models of Greek ships (0,60 m. to 1,50 m) of excellent, detailed construction will be presented, made with authentic materials, based on naval architectural drawings, following traditional methods, which date from prehistoric times to the middle of the 20th century. The creator of these models is Dimitris Maras, M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and model shipbuilder, who has studied in depth the shipbuilding history of Greece, as well as the construction of ship models.

The goal of the exhibition, which will open its doors on October 1, 2016 and will last until  May 28, 2017, is to present to the visitors, in a coherent and comprehensible manner, the history of Greek seafaring and shipbuilding, giving them a chance to take a mental trip back in time to discover the close and timeless relationship of the Greek people with the sea. The exhibition offers the visitors the possibility to study the models at their leisure and in depth, and thus better understand the development of Greek shipbuilding from antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century. The layout of the exhibition and the educational programs and guided tours that will accompany it, will accord it a keen educational tone.

The painter-printmaker Mary Schina is participating in this exhibition with selected works from her series “Songs of the Aegean” and “Ancient Greek Writing”, inspired by the Aegean Sea. The perpetual movement of the sea, in a dialogue with Ancient Greek Writing and the Ancient Treasures of Antikythera continue the awe-inspiring adventure of the artist with the magical and mystifying Aegean Sea, which began in 2001.

Maps, video projections, explanatory drawings by the archaeologist Yiannis Nakas, and other materials are available, such as a special edition catalogue in two languages (English/Greek), further complement the exhibition, aiming to help the visitors understand the subject and goal of the exhibition by creating the appropriate museum environment.
The exhibition is designed and curated byNikoleta Xydea, MA in Archaeology-Museology. It is taking place under the auspices of the Hellenic Navy General Staff.

There will be guided tours for adults and school groups during the exhibition. An additional educational program on the Antikythera Mechanism will also be offered. It is imperative to make a telephone reservation in advance for all guided tours.

General guided tours
a) for organized groups: Thursday 18:00, Saturday 10:00
b) for the general public: Saturday 12:00 &14:00, Sunday 11:00 & 13:00
Number of participants per tour: 20
Duration: 50′
Price (including admission): 8 € per person

General tours for school groups
Days & times: Monday-Friday, 9:30, 10:30 & 11:30
Duration: 50′
Number of participants per tour: 25 (two separate groups can be guided simultaneously)
Price (including admission): 4 € per student-chaperones, teachers free

The Antikythera Mechanism – Interactional guided tours
Days and times: As above
Duration: 90′
Number of participants per tour: 15
Price (including admission): 12 € per person

Information/Reservations: Tel: 211 01 26 486 / E-mail: museum@herakleidon-art.gr