Located in Nea Moudania, the Museum of Fishing Vessels and Equipment is the first of its kind in Greece. It serves as a dedicated archive for the region’s maritime heritage, preserving the traditional fishing methods, tools, and vessel designs that shaped the coastal economies of Halkidiki.
The museum was established to protect the historical memory of the Asia Minor refugees who settled in Nea Moudania in 1922, bringing advanced maritime knowledge and specialized fishing techniques to the area.
Core Exhibits and Historical Artifacts
The permanent collection tracks the technical progression of fishing and navigation from antiquity to the modern era, focusing heavily on early 20th-century marine architecture.
Traditional Vessel Preservation
The absolute centerpiece of the museum is the “Bouyiante” (μπουγιαντές), a distinct type of traditional fishing boat originally used in the Sea of Marmara. The vessel on display was reconstructed using architectural records and oral testimonies from senior shipbuilders to ensure exact historical accuracy. Visitors can examine the structural variations between different Aegean hulls, alongside detailed three-dimensional scale models of:
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Oar-propelled trawlers (κωπήλατη τράτα)
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Engine-powered purse seiners (γρι-γρι)
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Karavoskaro-type hulls (μηχανότρατα με γάστρα καραβόσκαρου)
Equipment and Navigation Gear
The collection includes authentic tools salvaged from early settlements and working fleets:
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Catching Gear: Cotton nets, specialized longlines (παραγάδια), fish traps (κιούρτοι), and spears specifically designed for sea urchins.
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Nautical Instruments: Early magnetic compasses, celestial spheres, marine lamps, and vintage sonar equipment that marked the transition to modern commercial fishing.
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Marine Life & Diving: An extensive collection of local shells, crustaceans, and a fully preserved old-fashioned diving suit used in early deep-sea operations.
Visiting information
Opening days & hours
Weekdays [CLOSED SATURDAY & SUNDAY]
08:00-16:00