Archaeological Collection of Amorgos

About the museum

The Archaeological Collection of Amorgos is housed in the Gavras Tower, a building from the Venetian period attributed to the 16th century, located in Chora, the main town of the island. In 1963 Sofi Giannakou donated the tower to the Amorgian Association. Its restoration lasted from 1972 to 1978 and was carried out with financial support and the personal labour of local residents and master craftsmen. The building retains elements of the original structure, such as stone columns, capitals, poros arches and inscribed door frames.

The collection is small but reflects the long history of Amorgos, from the Geometric period (8th century BC) to the late Roman period (2nd century AD). Most exhibits are surface finds from the areas of the island's three ancient cities, Minoa, Arkesine and Aigiali. They bear witness to the island's sculptural tradition and to moments of its history that its inhabitants recorded in inscriptions.

In the reception hall of the tower, statues and reliefs from the Archaic period (6th century BC) to the Roman period are displayed, together with small objects from the excavation of Minoa made of bronze, gold, ivory and glass. Architectural members and heavy statue figures stand outside the hall, while inscriptions are displayed in the courtyard. Two small rooms around the courtyard house prehistoric and historical finds from the end of the Neolithic period (4th millennium BC) and the Early Cycladic period (3rd millennium BC) onwards.

Highlights

• Housed in the Venetian Gavras Tower (16th century)
• Sculptures and reliefs from the Archaic to the Roman period
• Inscriptions in the courtyard
• Finds from the ancient cities of Minoa, Arkesine and Aigiali
• Prehistoric finds from the Neolithic and Early Cycladic periods

Permanent exhibition

• Μόνιμη έκθεση της Αρχαιολογικής Συλλογής – Statues, reliefs, inscriptions, pottery and small objects from Minoa, Arkesine and Aigiali, from prehistoric to Roman times.

Founded

1963

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Κυκλάδων

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and every first Sunday of the month from 1 November to 31 March.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

From the port of Amorgos at Katapola the museum is about 12 minutes by car. From the castle of Chora it is about 3 minutes on foot, and from the town hall about 5 minutes.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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