On the Northwest coast of the island of Santorini (Thira) in the town of Oia is an interesting Maritime Museum, which was founded in 1956 on the initiative of the captain of the merchant Navy of Greece Antonias of Macaronies. Since 1990, the Museum is housed in an old mansion of the 19th century, which formerly belonged to the family of Birbili. This architectural structure was specially restored (after the earthquake of 1956) and converted into a Museum.

Museum exhibition beautifully illustrates the history and Maritime tradition of the island. The peak of economic prosperity in the island reached the end of the 19th - early 20th century due to their own fleet and good trade relations in the Mediterranean, as well as trade with Russia.

The exposition of the Museum is very diverse and entertaining. The collection includes models of ancient and modern ships, nautical instruments and gear, old Maritime equipment, and fragments of ships, sea form, sketches and paintings with a nautical theme, compasses, drawings and more. Presented at the Museum of portraits and personal belongings of famous local sailors. A special place in the exposition of the Museum is an excellent collection of pictures, among which there are images depicting shipboard teams, students in marine uniforms, ceremonies, launching of new ships, construction yards, and landscapes of the island from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Maritime Museum has its own library, which holds important historical documents, logbooks, charts and specialized literature. The Museum collection is constantly expanding.

The main purpose of the Museum is to promote Maritime history and traditions of Greece and Santorini in particular.