Floating Naval Museum A/T Velos

About the museum

The destroyer Velos (D-16) was built in Boston, USA, as USS Charrette (DD-581) and launched on 3 June 1942. It served in the Pacific during the Second World War, mainly supporting aircraft carriers and protecting convoys, and was awarded thirteen battle stars. In 1958 it was transferred to the Royal Hellenic Navy under the mutual US aid programme, and on 16 June 1959 the Greek flag was raised.

The ship took part in exercises and missions during the Greek–Turkish crises of 1964, 1967, 1974 and 1987. On 23 May 1973, after the arrest of officers who had prepared an anti-dictatorship move within the navy, it left an allied exercise and sailed to Fiumicino in Italy, where the commander and crew requested political asylum.

Velos was decommissioned on 26 February 1991. In 1994 it was designated the “Museum of the Anti-Dictatorship Struggle” and moored at Poros. Since 6 June 2002 it has been at Flisvos in Palaio Faliro, in the Naval Tradition Grove (Alsos Nautikis Paradosis), and it is open to visitors. The tour takes place on the ship itself, where information is posted.

Highlights

• Visit to a destroyer of the Second World War
• The story of the navy’s anti-dictatorship move of 1973
• Tour of the deck and interior spaces, with information panels
• Open to the public at the Naval Tradition Grove in Flisvos

Permanent exhibition

• Α/Τ Βέλος – μουσείο στο πλοίο – A tour of the destroyer, with posted information on the ship’s history, its service in the Second World War and the anti-dictatorship move of 1973.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Πολεμικό Ναυτικό

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Since 24 October 2026 a specially designed ramp has been installed, so that people with disabilities can visit the interior of the ship.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The ship is moored at the Naval Tradition Grove in Flisvos.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit