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Museum of Prehistoric Thera
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera houses finds from the excavations at Akrtotiri, 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, carried out by the 21st Ephorate of Antiquities for the Cyclades and Samos, as well as objects discovered fortuitously or handed over.
The exhibition is structured in four units, referring to the history of research at Thera, the geology of Thera, the island's history from the Late Neolithic to the Late Cycladic I periond (early 17th century B.C.) and the heyday of the city at Akrotiri (mature Late Cycladic I period, 17th century B.C.).
The exhibits include fossils of plants that flourished before the human habitation of Thera and archaeological objects. Among the earliest pieces are Neolithic pottery, Early Cycladic marble figurines, Early Cycladic pottery, including interesting pieces of the transitional phase from Late Cycladic II to Late Cycladic III period (Kastri group) from the Christiana islets and Akrotiri (3300-2000 B.C.) -Middle Cycladic pottery with a series of impressive bird jugs, many of them decorated with swallows - from Ftellos, Megalochori and Akrotiri (20th-18th century B.C.), and Early Cycladic metal artefacts from the last two sites.
Impressive too are the magnificent wall-painting ensembles (wall-painting of Ladies and Papyri, wall-painting of the Blue Monkeys) and fragments of others (the "African", Adorant Monkeys, Bird, floral motifs). Last, there are numerous and luxurious clay vases including the remarkable pithos with the bull, vases of stone and of clay imported from different parts of the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, and the gold ibex figurine, a remarkable recent find.
The exhibition endeavours to sketch the course of Thera in prehistoric times, through selected finds from the thousands in the storerooms. This was a dynamic and creative course which established the city at Akrotiri as one of the most important Aegean centres during the 18th and 17th centuries B.C.
Location: Fira
The Archaeological Museum of Fira
Ôhe Museum contains the following collections:
•Sculpture, ranging from the Archaic to the Roman period.
•Inscriptions, ranging from the Archaic to the Roman period.
•Vases and clay figurines, dating from the Geometric to the Hellenistic periods.
The most important items of the exhibition are:
Theran amphora with geometric decoration. Representative example of a local workshop, the production of which begins at the end of the 8th century B.C. and lasts until the 6th century B.C. It was found at the Archaic cemetery of Ancient Thera and dates from the beginning of the 7th century B.C.
Amphora from the Archaic cemetery of Ancient Thera. It is attributed to an island workshop and dates to the beginning of the 7th century B.C.
Large pithos with relief decoration. A brilliant example of 7th century B.C. Cycladic art, but also the unique specimen on Thera. The metope on the neck of the vase is decorated with a swan and the band on the shoulder shows two chariots drawn by winged horses.
Upper part of an Archaic funerary kouros. It is one of the earliest known colossal statues, found at the cemetery of Ancient Thera, on the west slope of Sellada. Dated to the end of the 7th century B.C.
Torso of an Archaic funerary kouros from the cemetery of Ancient Thera, on the west slope of Sellada. Dated to the end of the 7th century B.C.
Clay Daedalic figurine covered with painted decoration of which the colour is still well preserved. Because of the characteristic movement of the arms towards the head, it is interpreted as a lamenter. Dated to the end of 7th century B.C.
Attic black-figure amphora. On the front side, Athena and Heracles are shown riding a quadriga, while in the background are depicted Apollo playing the lyre, and Artemis. The reverse side is decorated with two horsemen flanked by an archer and a hoplite.
Attic black-figure kylix. On the outer surface of the vase, a chariot battle and a duel between two hoplites are depicted between scenes of departing warriors. On the interior, six ships are shown on the lip and Poseidon in the centre, killing the giant Polybotes. On the base, two horsemen are depicted on either side of a hoplite.
Attic black-figure volute krater. On the neck are depicted scenes of battle with chariots, in which godess Athena participates. The inner surface of the rim is decorated with four ships. From the Archaic cemetery of Ancient Thera, dated to the second half of the 6th century B.C.
Location:Fira
Gyzi Megaron
The main purpose of the Cultural Centre 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, the Cultural Centre - Gyzi Manor, as of its establishment and particularly during the tourist period, organises painting exhibitions, musical events, stage plays, photo exhibitions, film showings and other events.
Permanent Exhibitions
Original Engravings of maps, landscapes and traditional costumes of the 16th to 19th century. Old historical documents of the Catholic Diocese of Santorini of the period 1573 - 1819. Paintings of know Greek and foreign painters about Santorini. Old Photographs of Santorini. Among these events, particular mention should be made of the exhibitions, with Santorini as the subject, of well known painters, such as: Paris Prekas, Christoforos Asimis, Panagiotis Gravalos, Meropi Prekas, Sofia Kalogeropoulou, as well as musical evenings - concerts with international calibre artists such as: Tereza Kokkalaki, Jenny Zaharieva, Danina Maleva, Xiang Hiu Shook, S. Simeonov, Christoforos Stamboglis, Aggelina Tcacheva and many others.
Five permanent exhibitions are hosted in the halls of the cultural centre, in particular:
• An exhibition of authentic etchings on the Cycladic islands from the 15th to the 19th century, • An exhibition of a typical series of past Theraic public and private documents, selected for display among the 3,500 documents of the Lay Files of the Catholic Diocese of Thira, a most of them in Greek, and fewer in Turkish, Latin and Italic, which constitute a rich found of information on public and private life in Santorini from late 16th to early 19th century • A collection of photographs of scenic Santorini, by Vicentio Pintos, from 1930 to 1956 • A collection of paintings by Leon and Pipitsa Pintos • A collection of paintings, with Santorini as the subject, donated by well-known Greek painters that have exhibited their work in the Cultural Centre • A collection of Santorini strata, under development, • To these should also be added the hagiography workshop of Katerina Ioannidou, which now operates on a permanent basis Mention should also be made of three notable publications of the Centre: • "Santorini, 15th - 19th Century" - A detailed list of etchings by Dimitris Tsipouras • "A Testimonial of Santorini" - A list of Theraic documents edited by Agamemnon Tselikas
From May to September Open between the hours of: (Daily) 10:30 - 13:30 & 17:00 - 20:00 (Sunday) 10:30 - 16:30 October Open between the hours of: (Daily) 10:00 - 16:00 (Sundays) 10:00 - 16:00
Location: Fira The museum is located opposite the Roman Catholic cathedral.
Argyros 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 upper floor's furniture and utensils are conserved and attended to as in a museum. This way, the visitor can get acquainted with the residence of 19th century landowner of Santorini.
It was built in 1888 by the landowner and wine merchant G. Argyros, on the land of a previously existed traditional building which occupied a quarter of an acre. During the 1956 earthquakes the whole of the building suffered damages and its SE cornercollapsed together with the main hall's roof. Since then, the mansion remained uninhabited for many years. Today it belongs to the company A.X.T.E.FLORA S.A. and is completely restored. The ground floor serves as a five star hostel while there are guided tours for the public on the upper floor. The Argyros mansion's complete restoration was approved by the Ministry of Culture. The architect F.Nastouli and the civil engineer A. Talaiporos of the Static Society, made the studies for the restoration project. By a ministerial decree of 1985, the building was identified as a work of art encircled by a 50 meters protection zone.
Location:Messaria village
Lignos Folklore Museum
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¨.
Here you can find:
- Traditional winery, wine cellar with treading vats, barrels, wine press, linens and antique utensils
- Cavern showing evidence of the volcanic eruption from the excavation of the layers of soil
- Traditional workshops : Carpenters, Barrel makers, Shoemakers and Tinsmiths
- Art Gallery with works by famous artists inspired by Santorini
- Historical archives : Lithographs, Manuscripts and Books from Santorini
- Pictures of life on the island in past years
Location:Kontochori village
Wine Museum
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.
The Museum offers a personal tour, where one can view semi-mobile and still life figurines, accompanied by audio guides and sound effects.
At the end of the passage way, there is a room where the visitor can watch a film of the history of Santorini from 1500 BC till the present day, the evolution of life and wine production in Santorini.
There is also an opportunity to join in the ritual of wine tasting, which is held in the winery.
Every Friday a traditional Greek night with a buffet meal is held. Entertainment includes live music and local dancers in traditional costumes giving a display of Greek dancing.
Location: Vothonas village
Icons & Relics Collection Pyrgos
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.
Location: Pyrgos village
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