Mineralogical Museum of Lavrion
Museum of the Etaireia Meleton Lavreotikis (Society for the Study of Lavreotiki) in a listed industrial building in Lavrion, with more than 550 minerals from the mines and miners’ equipment.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
From its foundation in 1984, the Etaireia Meleton Lavreotikis (Society for the Study of Lavreotiki, E.ME.L.) set as its main goal the creation of a Mineralogical Museum in Lavrion. The museum was inaugurated on 20 September 1986 and is housed in a small listed industrial building, the gatehouse of the ore-washing plant (Metallopysio) of the Company of the Lavrion Metallurgical Works, which was erected in 1875. It is dedicated to the memory of the mining engineer Andreas Kordellas (1836–1909), whose work led to the re-exploitation of the ancient metallurgical residues and the ancient mines of Lavrion. His monument stands in the grounds.
The collection was built up from donations by residents of the area, from purchases by E.ME.L. and from collections bought by the Municipality of Lavreotiki and made available to the museum. The display cases hold more than 550 minerals from the Lavrion mines, among them rare minerals first found there, such as lavrionite. The museum also presents silver coins of the 4th century BC, lead “turtles” (ingots), and tools and equipment of the miners who worked in the mines.
In 2024 the Mineralogical Museum of Lavrion was included in the list of the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH). The website of E.ME.L. states that 350,000 visitors from Greece and abroad have visited the museum.
Highlights
- More than 550 minerals from the Lavrion mines
- Minerals first found at Lavrion, such as lavrionite
- Silver coins of the 4th century BC and lead “turtles”
- Tools and equipment of the miners
- Listed industrial building of 1875, part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH)
Permanent exhibition
- Μόνιμη έκθεση του Ορυκτολογικού Μουσείου – Minerals and ores from the Lavrion mines, silver coins, lead “turtles” and miners’ equipment.
- Founded
- 1986
- Operated by
- Εταιρεία Μελετών Λαυρεωτικής (Ε.ΜΕ.Λ.)
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Good to know | The museum is located on the site of the former ore-washing plant. Visits on other days and at other times are arranged in advance. |
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