Metadata: Archive of the Russian Consulate
Collection
- Country:
- Greece
- Holding institution:
- General State Archives - Historical Archive of Crete
- Holding institution (official language):
- Γενικά Αρχεία του Κράτους - Ιστορικό Αρχείο Κρήτης
- Postal address:
- 20 Ioanni Sfakianaki str., 73134, Chania, Greece
- Phone number:
- 0030 2821052606
- Web address:
- http://gak.chan.sch.gr/
- Email:
- history@gak.chan.sch.gr
- Reference number:
- ΑΒΕ 93
- Title:
- Archive of the Russian Consulate
- Title (official language):
- Αρχείο Ρωσικού Προξενείου
- Creator/accumulator:
- Russian Consulate
- Date(s):
- 1860/1920
- Language:
- Greek, Modern (1453-)
- French
- Russian
- Arabic
- Turkish
- Extent:
- 40 files, 22 books
- Type of material:
- Textual material
- Physical condition:
- Good
- Scope and content:
- The archive of the Russian consulate covers the periods of the Ottoman rule (until 1897), the Cretan State (1898-1913), and the union of Crete with the Greek state (1913). It contains correspondence with the Orthodox Christian Cretans, with other consular authorities, the General Administration of Crete, the Ottoman commander of the island, etc. There are also extensive clippings mainly of the local press translated into Russian. It pertains to commercial issues, disputes over commercial issues, appeals of residents, convicts, or prisoners. References to Jews are sporadic. For instance, in section A14, files 14 / 2a and 2b with the title "Russian Consulate, reception 1894" and "Russian Consulate, expedition 1894" respectively, there is correspondence regarding the participation of the Jewish Community of Chania in the official mourning for the death of Alexander III of Russia.
- Archival history:
- The archive was handed over to the Greek authorities in 1924 by the last Russian consul in Chania.
- Administrative/biographical history:
- The Russian Consulate was founded in 1860 in Crete and operated until 1920. It was based in Chania and had sub-consulates in Heraklion and Rethymnon. Its main purpose was to protect the orthodox population of the island, the Christian Orthodox, and defend Russian interests in the south-eastern Mediterranean. It was an important political factor for Crete.
- Subject terms:
- Correspondence
- Jewish community
- Access, restrictions:
- Free access following communication with the archivist.
- Yerusha Network member:
- Jewish Museum of Greece
- Author of the description:
- Eleni Kouki; Jewish Museum of Greece researcher; 2022
