Museum of Prehistoric Thera

About the museum

The idea for a local museum devoted exclusively to the finds from Akrotiri came from Professor Spyridon Marinatos, the excavator of the prehistoric settlement. The plot was donated by the Nomikeio Hotel of Evangelos Nomikos, and the building plans were drawn up by the architect Ioannis Koumanoudis. Construction began in the early 1970s, the building was completed in the early 1980s and was handed over to the competent Ephorate of Antiquities in 1998–1999. The museum was inaugurated in March 2000 by the President of the Republic.

The first exhibition follows the course of Thera from the middle of the 5th millennium BC to the 17th century BC, mainly through finds from the prehistoric city of Akrotiri, whose objects survived in excellent condition beneath the volcanic ash. The second exhibition is devoted to wall painting, the monumental artistic expression of the Aegean civilisation, and presents 28 wall paintings from the buildings “West House” and “Xeste 3”, among them the Fishermen, the Miniature Fleet, the Worshippers, the Naked Boys, the Saffron Gatherers and the Goddess of Nature.

The museum functions as an extension of the Akrotiri archaeological site, as it houses the wall paintings and movable finds of the prehistoric urban centre at the height of its prosperity.

Highlights

• 28 wall paintings from the West House and Xeste 3
• The Fishermen and the Miniature Fleet
• The Goddess of Nature and the Saffron Gatherers
• The wall paintings of the Monkeys and of the House of the Women
• Finds from the prehistoric city of Akrotiri in excellent condition

Permanent exhibitions

• Η προϊστορική Θήρα – Selected finds from Akrotiri and other sites on the island tell the story of Thera from the Neolithic period to the volcanic catastrophe.
• Οι τοιχογραφίες του Ακρωτηρίου – The exhibition presents 28 wall paintings from the West House and Xeste 3, and the iconographic programme of the rooms they decorated.

Founded

2000

Operated by

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 each month from 1 November to 31 March.

Accessibility

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

The site is described as accessible.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about 2 minutes on foot from the Theotokopoulos Central Square in Fira.

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

There is WiFi for visitors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.