Archaeological Museum of Kea

About the museum

The Archaeological Museum of Kea was established in the 1960s and 1970s to house the finds from the first research and excavations on the island. Its collections include the finds of the archaeologist Konstantinos Manthos, the old excavations at Karthaia, and material from the American School of Classical Studies from the prehistoric settlements of Kefala and Agia Eirini. From 1997 to 2002 the building was renovated and the main finds were re-exhibited.

The building follows the form of the traditional architecture of Ioulida. The ground floor houses the ticket office, the shop and service rooms, while the exhibition occupies the two upper floors. The second floor presents the prehistoric collection (3300–1100 BC) with vessels, tools and small figurines, mainly from Kefala and Agia Eirini. The first floor displays sculptures, architectural fragments, inscriptions and coins of the four ancient towns of Kea: Ioulida, Karthaia, Koressos and Poiessa (7th century BC – 2nd century AD).

Among the most important exhibits are the large clay statues of female figures from the sanctuary of Agia Eirini, dating to around the 15th century BC, and the sculptures from the temple of Athena in Karthaia with scenes of an Amazonomachy.

Highlights

• Clay statues of Agia Eirini (“Girls of Kea”)
• Prehistoric collection from Kefala and Agia Eirini
• Sculptures from the temple of Athena in Karthaia
• Coins of Ioulida, Karthaia and Koressos
• Exhibition over two floors in a building of traditional architecture

Permanent exhibitions

• Προϊστορική συλλογή (3300–1100 π.Χ.) – Finds from the Late Neolithic to the end of the Late Bronze Age, with vessels, tools, figurines and the clay statues from the sanctuary of Agia Eirini, on the second floor.
• Ιστορικοί χρόνοι (7ος αιώνας π.Χ. – 2ος αιώνας μ.Χ.) – Sculptures, architectural fragments, inscriptions and coins of the ancient towns of Kea, on the first floor, including the architectural decoration of the temple of Athena in Karthaia.

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 the first and third Sunday of every month from 1 November to 31 March

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Ioulida, about five minutes on foot from the town hall and ten minutes by car from the port of Korissia.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The ground floor has a ticket office, a shop and toilets.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.