THE LIBRARY OF THE HELLENIC MARITIME MUSEUM

The operation of the Museum’s library, commenced simultaneously with its establishment, over 50 years ago. Its aim was to gather books regarding maritime matters and the sea.

The considerable, in quantity and quality, donations by Captain Athanasios Koumantareas, Prince Peter and also Admirals’ N. Vourekas, S. Kamarinos, I. Toumbas, Emm. Lykoudis and other book collectors and friends of the Museum, contributed in the development of the library into a substantial collection of significant, and often rare books, of maritime and historical contents, which today adorn its shelfs.

The library’s aim is to contribute towards the provision of information regarding seamanship, Hellenic history and traditions and, in general, world shipping. It is the largest maritime library of our country, with over 13,000 volumes of books and magazines, Hellenic and foreign.

The main bulk of the collection consists of Maritime history books which cover the evolution of the merchant marine and the Navy, through the ages, with an emphasis on the growth of merchant shipping in the Hellenic area. There is also a significant number of scientific and technical books which deal with maritime science. The library also includes books which cover Hellenic, European and World history.

It should also be noted, that there are books concerning Museology, Literature, Fine Arts, Archaeology, Physical Sciences and Geography, which complete the library’s collection. In the library, there are informative books such as encyclopaedias, marine dictionaries and others of more general content.

Among the old and rare editions, there is a Hellenic edition of the Geography of Ptolemaios published in 1546, and a Latin one in 1596. Another unique edition is the Portolano map book by Demetrios Tagias in the early 19th century, the second known copy of which may be found in the National Library.

From the library treasures, it is worth mentioning the edition of the three-volume work by vice admiral Paris, titled “Collection de plans ou dessins de navires et de bateaux anciens ou modernes” in 1882-1886. Also the “Marine instructions” by N. Kefalas in Vienna, Austria in 1817.