If you’re a fan of archaeology, history, and mythology, a trip to Greece should be on your bucket list this year. Greece is one of the world’s most visited countries by tourists. It’s not surprising though, with its sprawling architectural beauty, pristine and blue oceans, and delectable cuisines, it’s impossible not to fall head-over-heels with this charming country.
Besides Athens, another must-visit city in Greece is Santorini. It is the melting pot of diverse Greek cultures that are evident to its museums that are as exciting as its sceneries. Thus, if you’re planning to include Santorini in your next escapade, here’s a quick guide to the museums that you must visit.
Museum of Prehistoric Thira:
This museum is home to the artifacts found in Akrotiri, an ancient Aegean settlement destroyed and preserved by a volcano eruption in 1627 BC. Frescoes, pottery, furniture, utensils, tools, and jewelry excavated from Akrotiri are displayed in this museum.
Hellenic Maritime Museum:
This museum shows the history of the Greek Navy. It was founded in 1949 and is located on the yacht harbor of Zea. It aims to collect and preserve Greece’s maritime history regarding artifacts and collected data.
A lot of things are displayed in this museum ranging from ancient ships to nautical instruments. It also features a unique library which features materials covering the subjects of maritime history.
Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum:
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This unique museum is located inside a cave eight meters below the ground, spanning 300 meters in length. It showcases the history of winemaking and the life of winemakers going back to the 1600s. Tourists won’t have difficulties in understanding anything inside the museum because an audio guide in fourteen languages is made available for visitors.
Aside from the process of winemaking, the museum also shows rare tools and machinery used by previous winemakers in producing high-quality wine. At the end of the tour, visitors are invited to taste four samples of the best wines made in the museum’s winery.
Archaeological Museum of Thera:
This museum was rebuilt in 1960 because an earthquake destroyed the former building in 1956. It contains sculptures and inscriptions from the Archaic to the Roman period and vases and figurines from the Geometric to the Hellenistic period.
Monastery of Profitis Ilias:
Mount Profitis Ilias is the highest point of the island. A monastery bearing the same name is located at the summit of the mountain. This ancient monastery showcases Cycladic architecture and rare artifacts, books, and sculptures. A few monks live in the monastery. The monastery itself isn’t open to visitors, but guests can visit the chapel.
Tomato Industrial Museum:
This museum used to be an old tomato canning factory. The late 1950s was the heyday of tomato production in the island, but the factory closed down due to a decline in tomato cultivation in the 1980s.
As a museum, it shows the traditional way of processing tomatoes. It shows specific processes of the tomato-processing phases conducted by machines in the museum. It also includes old processing machines dating back to the 1800s.
Mnemosyne Gallery:
This gallery showcases various photography and handmade jewelry which are not mass produced for souvenir shops. Friendly attendants can show you around and explain the history of the details on display.
Even the owners of the museum are kind, according to visitors. Where else can you get such friendly reception? If you want to experience the same warm vibe from the Greeks, book a tour through various sites like Deal Wiki.
Art of the Loom Gallery:
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The Art of the Loom Gallery was initially built in 1866 as a place for local wine production. It was renovated in 2010, but the original Cycladic architecture was retained. The gallery is home to an extensive collection of paintings and handcrafted sculptures made by Greek artists.
The gallery also boasts of unique souvenirs such as jewelry and art objects. It also offers a newly-launched line of clothes and accessories which are made with the best materials and style.
Takeaway:
Santorini is rich in culture and history. Visiting this part of Greece will not only entertain you but also immerse you in their culture. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your things up and get a taste of Greek culture!
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