Chania is preparing to welcome a project that promises to change not only the way Crete preserves its natural treasures, but also the way visitors experience the island’s rich biodiversity. The Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICh), with the support of the Region of Crete, has initiated the establishment of the first Mediterranean Bioclimatic Seed Bank. What might sound like a purely scientific venture is, in fact, poised to become one of Crete’s most fascinating eco-tourism attractions.
On August 29, 2025, at the Chania Regional Unit building, the Region of Crete and MAICh signed the agreement that formally opens the path for construction. Behind the technical terms lies a vision: transforming the former KEEGE building in Agrokipio into a state-of-the-art bioclimatic hub where conservation, education, and tourism will converge. Designed by the Technical University of Crete and funded by the Region, the project introduces innovative green technologies—natural cooling, passive heating, solar systems, smart automation—that will make the building itself a model of sustainable Mediterranean architecture.
But beyond engineering, the heart of the project is what it will host. The Seed Bank will safeguard collections of rare, threatened, and endemic plants from across the Mediterranean—turning Chania into a living archive of biodiversity. The current facilities of MAICh’s Unit for the Conservation of Mediterranean Plants will move into the new space, where visitors will not only learn about fragile ecosystems but also witness firsthand the island’s role in protecting them.
For locals and travelers alike, the project carries enormous cultural and tourism potential. At its core will be a new Botanical Museum designed to welcome schoolchildren, university students, and international visitors. Imagine a museum experience that is not just about looking at plants behind glass, but engaging with their stories—why they matter, how they shape landscapes, and how they connect to Crete’s agricultural traditions. Educational programs in partnership with primary and secondary schools, as well as higher education institutions, will make this museum a lively meeting point between science and society. For eco-conscious travelers, it will offer a chance to explore the island beyond beaches and ruins: to discover the plants that define the Mediterranean way of life.
The Seed Bank will also serve as a hub of collaboration. Forest directorates, municipalities, ELGO Dimitra, and environmental bodies such as OFYPEKA are expected to work closely with the center. This means that visitors will encounter not a static museum but a vibrant network of research and conservation activity. Conferences, workshops, and public events will turn Chania into a reference point for Mediterranean biodiversity. For the island’s tourism profile, it signals a shift towards sustainability: Crete as a destination that not only celebrates its history but also safeguards its natural future.
What makes the project particularly exciting is its potential to inspire Mediterranean neighbors. By combining research, environmental education, and green innovation under one roof, the Seed Bank is designed as a model for other countries facing the same climate and biodiversity challenges. For Crete, that translates into international recognition and new flows of visitors: scientists, students, eco-travelers, and curious explorers eager to see how a small corner of Chania became a leader in conservation.
In the words of many local officials, this is more than infrastructure. It is a landmark. A space that will belong not just to scientists but to the community, a cultural jewel open to all who wish to experience the living heritage of Mediterranean plants. For travelers, it adds a new layer to the Chania itinerary: alongside the Venetian Harbor and the Samaria Gorge, a stop at the Bioclimatic Seed Bank promises an encounter with the invisible roots that sustain the island’s landscapes and traditions.
When it opens its doors, the Seed Bank will invite the world to walk through a different kind of museum—one that is alive, green, and vital. And in doing so, it will remind every visitor that Crete is not just a place to see. It is a place that keeps growing.
