Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”

About the museum

The Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos” is housed in the former tomato factory of the Nomikos family, on the beach of Vlychada on the south side of Santorini. The family's business began in the mid-19th century with the “Fabrika”, the first motorised flour mill in Fira. In 1915 Dimitrios Nomikos began producing tomato paste in a pre-industrial unit in Mesaria, and later built in Monolithos one of the first factories for canned tomato products in the area.

His son, Giorgos Nomikos, built the factory of Vlychada in the centre of the island's most productive tomato area. The production season lasted from June to August. In the winter of 1952 a torrent entered the factory and filled it with mud 2.30 metres deep; after the disaster, however, the factory reopened. When tomato cultivation shrank and tourism began to develop, the factory ceased operation permanently after the last summer production of 1981.

In 2014 the building was converted into a museum, which traces the course of the small-fruited Santorini tomato from cultivation to processing and production. The exhibits include processing machines from 1890, old handwritten company books, tools, the first labels and audiovisual material with accounts from people who worked at the factory. The Santorini Arts Factory, which hosts exhibitions and cultural activities, also operates in the same building.

Highlights

• Former tomato factory with a distinctive chimney on Vlychada beach
• Processing machines from 1890 and old factory archives
• Audio guide in five languages
• Film with accounts of former workers
• Tomato paste tasting and sealing of a souvenir can

Permanent exhibition

• Μόνιμη έκθεση του Βιομηχανικού Μουσείου Τομάτας – The journey of the tomato from cultivation to the can: machines from 1890, tools, archive material, labels and accounts of former factory workers.

Founded

2014

Admission & discounts

The price includes the audio guide, the tomato paste tasting and the souvenir can.

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

All areas of the museum are accessible to wheelchair users. For visitors with hearing impairments a special guidebook is available, adapted to the audio guide.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

The spaces are also accessible to families with pushchairs. The museum organises educational programmes and experiential activities, such as making paste and sealing cans.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Vlychada, on the south side of Santorini. Access is by private or rental vehicle or by local public transport.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The museum's café is at the main entrance and offers coffee, drinks, tomato juice and local delicacies. A shop with museum products also operates.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The exhibition spaces host conferences, talks, corporate presentations, press conferences and private events; the seaside courtyard and the teachers' hall are available.

Plan your visit