Fascinating, step free museum with accessible toilet
5
5
Date of visit: March 2018
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Excellent
The museum focuses on Crete’s ancient history with Minoan, Greek and Roman artefacts. There is also a garden area. The entire museum is step free.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
The museum and adjoining garden are step free. The museum is housed in in the former St Francis Church and apart from the notice at the entrance it would be easy to think it wasn’t the museum. On entering there is a counter at standing height and an electronic gate for scanning your tickets. The museum is all housed in one floor. There is a large main room and a side room, near the entrance desk, with many more objects. There is also a delightful garden. There is seating inside the museum and in the garden. The captions are in both Greek and English. I'm not sure if they offer large print, braille or audio guides. There is a coin collection with magnifying glass to enable you to see the detailing on the coins.
Parking & Transport
Average
The museum is on Halidon, one of the main streets in Chania’s Old Town, only a couple of minutes’ walk from the Old Venetian Harbour. The street is on a slight slope. There are buses in the area and stop near by. I'm unsure about parking in the area.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
In the garden there is an accessible toilet. It has a single grab rail. I personally found the seat quite low. It was clean.
Staff
Excellent
Staff were friendly and welcoming when I arrived. There wasn't a queue for tickets and I was served quickly. I did require staff assistance during the visit.
Additional Information
The museum focuses on Crete’s ancient history and had an impressive collection of well-preserved Minoan, Greek and Roman artefacts. It’s well laid out with a beautiful display of pottery, mosaics and statues. The building itself is very attractive inside with a high vaulted ceiling and exposed stonework. Please be aware that some photography is permitted. There a lot of artefacts which you are not allowed to photograph as the research has not been published and there are notices next to those items informing you of this. The garden is a lovely space to sit and relax in. When I visited the cost as 4 euros (March 2018).
