History of Chios for many centuries has been closely associated with the development of shipping and maritime trade. Not surprisingly, one of the main attractions of Chios and the pride of the local people is the magnificent Maritime Museum, located in the eponymous capital of the island.

The Maritime Museum is located in an elegant two-storey neo-classical mansion in the center of the city. The building was built in the early 20th century, and is privately owned family Pateras. In 1991, the heirs of the family officially handed over the mansion as a gift to the Public Fund named Pateras to create a Maritime Museum. For the convenience of placing the museum's collection has been some changes in the interior house and its surrounding area, after which the museum opened its doors to visitors.

The museum's collection has been assembled primarily by private donations, and perfectly illustrates the history and maritime tradition of the island. On display are models of ships from different eras, nautical instruments and gear, navigation equipment, fragments of vessels, shape and other personal belongings of sailors, the pictures on the theme of the sea (including the work of the famous Greek seascape painter Aristides Glycas, 1870-1940), photos , historical documents and much more. In the courtyard of the museum is a monument dedicated to those who died on the island of sailors during the Second World War.

Maritime Museum of Chios was established to preserve and promote maritime traditions and history of the island among the younger generation. It holds regular thematic conferences and seminars, as well as educational programs for schoolchildren. The activities of the museum includes active cooperation with other similar museums of the Greek Archipelago.