Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest

About the museum

The Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest was founded in 1994 to study, research, promote, present, conserve and protect the Petrified Forest of Lesvos. It is a non-profit legal entity supervised by the Ministry of Culture and Sports.

Its seat is in the village of Sigri in western Lesvos, in the centre of the protected area of the Petrified Forest, a protected natural monument with worldwide recognition. The forest is about 20 million years old.

The museum’s collections include fossilised plants of Greece, minerals and rocks, silica minerals, angiosperm dicotyledons and underwater finds. The museum runs educational programmes for pupils at all school levels and manages the Petrified Forest Parks.

Highlights

• Exhibition on the Petrified Forest of Lesvos
• The geohistorical development of the Aegean
• Collections of fossilised plants, minerals and rocks
• The ticket includes the Petrified Forest Parks
• Botanical garden and refreshment kiosk with local sweets

Permanent exhibitions

• Απολιθωμένο Δάσος Λέσβου – Exhibition on the fossilised tropical forest, about 20 million years old, and the geological history of Lesvos.
• Η γεωιστορική εξέλιξη του Αιγαίου – Exhibition on the geological formation of the Aegean.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Κοινωφελές νομικό πρόσωπο υπό την εποπτεία του Υπουργείου Πολιτισμού και Αθλητισμού

Admission & discounts

The combined ticket of €10 includes admission to the permanent exhibition areas, the presentation on the Petrified Forest, and visits to the Kyria Apolithomeni (Bali Alonia), Sigri and Plaka Parks. Special rates apply to organised groups, pupils and students. A separate ticket is charged for the visit to Nisiopi by glass-bottomed boat. Tickets can be purchased online.

Accessibility

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

The main entrance to the outdoor area has steps through the botanical garden. For people with mobility difficulties there is a separate side entrance. The building has ramps to the exhibition and service areas, and toilets for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum organises hands-on educational programmes, and the shop sells educational books and toys for children.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located inside the village of Sigri, about 90 km from Mytilene. Lesvos is connected by air with Athens and Thessaloniki and by ferry with Piraeus, Chios and Kavala.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The refreshment kiosk serves coffee, drinks and traditional spoon sweets made by rural women’s cooperatives. The shop sells publications, educational books, toys, handicrafts and local products.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit