Russian Barracks

The building of the "Centre for the Revival of Traditional Crafts", known as the "Former Russian Barracks", is a small, single-storey, stone-built structure with a tiled roof. It measures 14.45 x 6.75 metres and stands on the western bastion of the Venetian fortifications of the city. It is part of the Russian barracks, which were used to house Russian soldiers during the period of the Cretan State (1896–1913), when Crete was under the protection of the Great Powers.

Later on—particularly after the Asia Minor Catastrophe and during the German occupation—it was taken over by homeless families, who settled in the moat and on the fortifications with the tolerance of the Municipality, building makeshift shelters and shacks around the structure and along almost the entire length of the western bastion.

The historic building has now been restored and transformed into a visitor-friendly space, where guests—through digital and electronic media—can explore the history and techniques of traditional crafts.

Source: Municipality of Chania