The first temporary exhibition of the Arcaheological Museum of Chania, since it opened its doors to the public, entitled "BATH TIME! Body - Water - Dialogues", is based on the idea and in collaboration with the Museum of European and Mediterranean Cultures (MuCEM | Marseille).

Through 137 ancient, medieval and contemporary objects and works of art - from the collections of the Archaeological Museum of Chania and the MuCEM, as well as other museums and collections in Greece and France - an original historical and artistic osmosis and a continuous dialogue with the various aspects of the timeless bathing habits, a vital element of the Mediterranean cultures, is attempted. The Rapture of Europe by Jean-René Gauguin, Aphrodite by Pavlos Samios and the Hellenistic statuette of the goddess introduce us to the emblematic value of the liquid element in the mythological cosmogony of the deities, while the Baptism of Christ by Dominikos Theotokopoulos and the ritual vases of classical times highlight the role played by water in the rites of passage of human life.

Private bathing habits are outlined, over the centuries, through ancient, medieval and modern objects, before the importance of public baths as places of well-being and socialization unfolds from antiquity to the hammams, with paintings by the Flemish school and leading Orientalist artists (Jean-Léon Jerome, Theodoros Rallis). From Paul Cézanne's The Bathers to the posters of the EOT, the unique experience of being in contact with nature and the absolute Mediterranean landscape of sun and sea is channeled. Finally, important fragments of the history of soap, centred on Marseille and the ABEA factory in Chania, are highlighted, and the close link between the two cities is underlined by a large number of exhibits, including a variety of French posters and objects from the long production of the ABEA factory.

The exhibition is accompanied by a brochure and a scientific catalogue in two languages (English and Greek).