Santorini Museums

Archaeological Museum

Archaeological, Prehistoric, Folklore and Cultural Museums

A Fine Collection of Exhibits

While many outstanding archaeological finds from Santorini will be found at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, the Historical and Cultural Archaeological Museum of Santorini in Fira contains artifacts from excavations on the island … It was built in 1960 by the Ministry of Public Works in order to replace the old museum (built in 1902), that had collapsed during the earthquake of 1956. Noteworthy are a fine collection of geometric red and black vases from the fifth century BC Inscriptions are plentiful among the displays in the museum and a certain amount of Minoan ware is also on exhibit. The museum also hosts impressive frescoes as well as sculptures of the Hellenistic period, Byzantine works of art and even some remains of prehistoric times.   Collections on Display : – Sculpture from the Archaic to the Roman period – Inscriptions from the Archaic to the Roman period – Vases & clay figurines, dating from the Geometric to the Hellenistic periods

Museum of Prehistoric Thira : Fira

The Museum of Prehistoric Thira houses finds from the excavations at Akrotiri, conducted under the auspices of the Archaeological Society at Athens, the earlier excavations at Potamos made by members of the German Archaeological Institute at Athens, and rescue excavations at various other sites on the island, which were carried out by the 21st Ephorate of Antiquities for the Cyclades and Samos. Also on display are other objects discovered fortuitously or handed over

Santorini Museums : George Emmanuel Argyros Mansion – A Stately Home

The History of the Mansion

The Argyros Mansion is one of the most distinguished recent monuments of the island of Santorini and occupies an important place within the Messaria community, as it is significant for its morphological and its architectural value.

It combines the traditional architecture of Santorini with elements and influences of eclecticism.

Many morphological elements decorate the building’s facets and there are ceiling paintings of exceptional art in its interior. All the furniture and utensils on upper floor are conserved and attended to as in a museum.

This way, the visitor can get acquainted with the residence of a 19th century landowner of Santorini.

Santorini Museums : Megaro Gyzi Cultural Center

Archaeological, Prehistoric, Folklore and Cultural Museums

The Cultural Center ‘Megaro Gyzi’ was founded in 1980, the main purpose being spiritual development and the cultural improvement of the residents, as well as the promotion of Santorini The main purpose of the Cultural Center is the spiritual development, the cultural improvement and the advancement, of Thira and its residents for the main part, but also of the whole Cycladic area in general. Within the dictates of this purpose, particularly during the tourist period, organizes painting exhibitions, concerts and musical recitals, theatrical performance, photographic exhibitions, lectures, traditional dances, film showings and other events …

Santorini Museums : Naval Maritime Museum

Archaeological, Prehistoric, Folklore and Cultural Museums

In Oia, the picturesque traditional town on the northwest coast of Santorini, an 19th century mansion has been restored and converted into a museum that houses the Maritime History of Thira. Rare figureheads, Seamens’ Chests, old maritime equipment, carrening drawings and patterns, models of old and new Thiran ships, acquarelles featuring old sailing vessels as well as rare photographs and a library, all register year by year the contribution of the Thirans to the glorious history of the Hellenic Navy. Oia reached the peak of prosperity in the late 19th & early 20th century. Its economic prosperity was based on its merchant fleet which plied trade in the Eastern Mediterranean, especially from Alexandria to Russia. Hence the two-story captains houses built on the highest part of the village which are a reminder of the village’s former affluence …

Santorini Museums : Lignos Folklore Museum

Archaeological, Prehistoric, Folklore and Cultural Museums

The Folklore Museum is housed in a cave house built in 1861 in Kontochori – Fira. The museum is an old winery with workshops for carpenters, barrel makers, shoemakers and tinsmiths and an art gallery. There is also a library. Within the grounds one can discover the chapel of Agios Konstantinos with its belfry and festivities room. The garden and courtyard offers seating areas amongst trees and flowers. The Folklore Museum was founded by Emmanuel A. Lignos, laywer, journalist and Director of the monthly newspaper ¨Theiraic News¨.

Santorini Museums : Icons & Relics Collection Pyrgos

Archaeological, Prehistoric, Folklore and Cultural Museums

The Icons & Relics Collection of Pyrgos houses a collection of priceless hagiographies, wooden sculptures, metal art works & other items for ecclesiastic use. Most of the exhibits date back to the 17th & 18th century. It also hosts displays on shoemaking, printing, candle making, wine making and typical local food. The museum can be found in Agia Triada, originally a Catholic church belonging to a small convent. It had been completely abandoned, and in the early seventies only the north wall and part of the Sanctum were standing. Under the ‘Association of Pyrgos Residents in Thira’ initiative and Mrs. Liza Patiniotis, president of the Association at that time, efforts were made to rebuild the church in 1975 in order to house the collection. Mrs. Patiniotis had the foresight to gather the items of the collection immediately after the 1956 earthquake. The second Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities with the cooperation of Thira’s Holy Metropolis and the community of Pyrgos, managed in 1997 to exhibit once again the collection that had been remained closed for so many years.

Santorini Museums : Museum of Minerals & Fossils

Archaeological, Prehistoric, Folklore and Cultural Museums

The Museum of Minerals & Fossils of the Cultural Society of Thira was founded in 2006 and is located in Perissa, close to the Church of the Holy Cross. Display cases include minerals and fossils from Thira, the rest of Greece and abroad. Amongst the exhibits is an invaluable rich collection of minerals from Lavrio. Mr. Nikos Sigalas is President of the Cultural Society of Thira and responsible for the museum.

Santorini Museums : Wine Museum

Archaeological, Prehistoric, Folklore and Cultural Museums

History & Background The Wine Museum is an extraordinary natural cave, 6 meters below ground and 300 meters long. It presents the history and life of wine from 1660 to 1970 … The Wine Museum of Santorini along with Koutsogiannopoulos winery that produces Volcan Wines, and the vineyards are situated in the area of Vothonas, on the way to Kamari beach. A small family business, established in 1880 from brothers Gregory and Dimitris Koutsogiannopoulos, four generations later, George Koutsogiannopoulos is the new owner.