Archaeological Museum of Cythera

About the museum

The museum is housed in a building at the entrance of Chora on Kythira, which was granted in 1911 by the Kytherian Association. Since 1975 it has belonged to the Ministry of Culture, and in 1981 it was renovated to house finds from the island’s excavations.

The earthquake of 2006 caused damage to the building, which was evacuated in 2013 for repairs. When the works were completed, the museum reopened to the public on 8 May 2016, fully renovated and with a new exhibition.

The exhibition follows the island’s history from the 9th millennium BC to the 3rd century AD. It includes finds from the Minoan colony of Palaiopolis and from the sanctuaries of Poseidon and Athena, while the central exhibit is the marble statue of the archaic Lion of Kythira of the 6th century BC. Many finds from the excavations are kept at the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus because of a lack of space.

Highlights

• Archaic marble Lion of Kythira, 6th century BC
• Finds from the Minoan colony of Palaiopolis
• Offerings from the sanctuaries of Poseidon and Athena
• Stone tools, vessels and coins
• History of the island from the 9th millennium BC to the 3rd century AD

Permanent exhibition

• Μόνιμη έκθεση του Αρχαιολογικού Μουσείου Κυθήρων – The exhibition presents the island’s finds from prehistory to the Roman period in two halls, with the archaic Lion of Kythira as the outstanding exhibit.

Founded

1981

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού

Admission & discounts

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

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site is accessible and has a lift. For visitors with reduced vision there are replicas of finds and a printed guide in Braille.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is 190 metres on foot from the central square of Chora on Kythira.

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

Free internet access for visitors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.