The 7 shipyards in the Venetian port of Xania
were part of a larger complex that included 16 docks and the Grand Arsenal. The
shipyards’ construction began in early 16th century to meet the needs of the Venetian fleet. The Arsenals are elongated domed structures
with the longitudinal axis facing the sea. They were open to the sea side in
their original form, so that the ships can get in. The internal communication
of Arsenal is made through arched openings in the walls. The complex was completed in early 17th
century and since then it
has held a number of modifications, deposed and crashes that have determined
its form. The most important changes include
- Collapse of 9 shipyards and constructing the
building of the Customs and 2 squares in their place
- Creation of the harbor
pier that cut off the docks by the sea
-Demolition of the
central portal at road Daskalogianni
- Construction of walls
on the north side
- Change in the level of
the floor slab
- Construction of
barracks in touch with the East wall of the Complex
- Construction of new
walls within the complex that block some of the arched openings
- Collapse of domes in
the fourth and fifth Arsenal
Today the shipyards are used
as warehouses and workshops of Chania Municipality and they suffer from pathological
problems because of the continuing neglect. The main problems are:
- Separation of the
southern lateral walls of the longitudinal and vaults
- Uplink and downlink
moisture in large portions of the walls and domes.
- Deterioration of the
monument’s image because of the additional constructions
- The collapse of some
cornices
The proposed
rehabilitation and reuse will have two objectives. Firstly, the main concern
will be to restore the shell, to solve static problems, to remove the later
additions which alter the picture of the monument and to emerge the various
historical phases that are important for the monument. Secondly, the
intervention will focus on highlighting the monument through new uses such as
the Museum of Fisheries, new construction and landscaping. In summary, the main
propositions are:
- Cut parts of the north
pier so as water get into the docks.
- Redesign of squares
Katehaki and Customs.
- Demolition of the new
walls.
- Reconstruction of the
central portal.
- New constructions to host
restaurant, library, the amphitheater as well as the offices of this museum