The Grand Arsenal (Megalo Arsenali) is the last of the 17 shipyards located in the Venetian port of Chania. Its construction started in 1585 by Alvise Grimani. During the Ottoman Era, in 1872, a floor was added, and the building started to host several important public services, such as Christian school, theater, hospital and town hall, until 1941.
In 1997, after a movement of the locals and under the context of the National Cultural Network of Cities, the Greek Ministry of Culture signed the founding of the Mediterranean Architecture Centre. After maintenance of the building and architectural restoration of the interior, various scientific seminars, conferences, lectures, and international exhibitions are organized.
The architectural approach of the restoration respects the image of the ruin as a historical monument and integrates new structures of a modern style. For more information you can visit the formal sites:
Megalo Arsenali Ekthesiakos Xoros
Location of the KAM – Center of Mediterranean Architecture
The easiest and quickest access to Chania is of course by airplane. The Chania International Airport is about 15 km away from the city of Chania and the Conference Venue.
There are direct chartered and scheduled flights (RYANAIR and EasyJet) connecting Chania with many European cities. More airlines connecting Chania with different international airports can be found at the Chania airport website.
Domestic flights from the Athens International Airport are often used as connecting flights from and to major European and worldwide gateway cities.
Interurban Public Bus Services (KTEL) routes connect the airport with the city center (line Chania Airport – Chania). They last about 30 minutes, while the ticket price is ~ 2.50 €.
The port of Chania is Souda, one of the largest and most important in Greece. It offers ferry boat trips from and to Piraeus (Athens) every day.
It is located around 6km away from the city of Chania and the Conference Venue.
Chania Urban Buses regular routes connect the port with the city center (line No13, Souda – Chania). They last about 20-25 minutes, while the ticket price is ~ 2.50 €.
The KTEL (interurban bus services) of Chania is a regular bus service that connects Chania with the rest of Crete and other locations around Greece. You can see more information for the routes, the timetable, and the bus fares here.
By hiring a taxi you can reach not only all parts of the city and its surroundings, but also every corner of the county, and the whole of Crete.
Taxis in the city of Chania are blue and the charge rates depend on the length of the route per kilometer.
The cost of transfer by taxi from the Chania International Airport to the city centre is ~ 25 €, while the cost from the Port of Chania to the city center is ~ 15 €.
Of course, if you are renting a car on arrival, you can drive to your chosen destination at will!
Greece is a member of the European Union and belongs to the Schengen area. All EU citizens may enter Greece without Visa or passport.
Citizens of some countries need an entry visa for Greece. If you need a visa, make sure to apply for one well in advance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Greece provides detailed information on the countries requiring a visa and the points of the nearest Greek Embassy or Consulate.
For more details, please visit the website of the Hellenic Republic – Ministry of Foreign Affairs..
An official letter of invitation to attend the COFIL 2022 will be provided to the requesting participant. To request your personal letter of invitation please send us an email at info@cofil2022.org.
NOTE: Conference participants must have registered and paid the required registration fees in full before requesting an official letter of invitation.
Whichever your needs are in terms of accommodation, Chania has got you covered. The range is wide and able to cover all tastes and budgets. It is considered one of the most developed areas in Greek Tourism and offers all forms of accommodation, meeting the demands of hundreds of thousands of travelers each year.
All participants are expected to make their own hotel arrangements.
Please note that the month of July is high season period for Crete, so room availability is expected to be limited, if arrangements are not made well in advance.
Early booking is strongly advised..
Get In touch
Organizing Institute
Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser,
Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas,
P.O. Box 1527, GR-711 10 Heraklion, Greece.
Chania, Crete, Greece
