Open-Air Water Power Museum
Open-air museum in the Lousios gorge with restored water-powered machines: a flour mill, a tannery and a gunpowder mill.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Open-Air Water Power Museum opened to the public in summer 1997 and operates under the responsibility of the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation. It lies near the Lousios river, in Dimitsana in Arcadia, and highlights the importance of water as a motive force in traditional society.
More than one hundred water-powered workshops have been identified in the Lousios area, serving the basic needs of local communities already from the 16th century. In the 20th century, as the area became depopulated, the workshops fell into ruin. In 1986 a programme of ethnological research and architectural survey began, funded by the Second Community Support Framework, which was completed with the creation of the museum. The restorations respected the authentic form of the buildings, and the permanent equipment was returned to its original function.
In 2006 a car park, a multi-purpose hall and offices were added, and in 2009 the entrance was renovated and a ticket office and a shop were created. The museum was awarded the Europa Nostra prize in 1999.
Visitors see a fulling mill and a flour mill with a horizontal wheel, a raki still, a tannery with the tanner’s house, and a gunpowder mill with pestles. The gunpowder of Dimitsana fuelled the Revolution of 1821.
Highlights
- Flour mill with horizontal wheel and fulling mill
- Tannery with zones for processing hides
- Moving mechanism of the gunpowder mill with pestles
- Raki still for the production of tsipouro
- Educational programmes and audio-visual material on the Lousios valley
Permanent exhibition
- Μόνιμη έκθεση: υδροκίνητα εργαστήρια του Λούσιου – Restored water-powered machines: flour mill, tannery, raki still and gunpowder mill, with their history in local society.
- Founded
- 1997
- Operated by
- Πολιτιστικό Ίδρυμα Ομίλου Πειραιώς
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Visitors over 65, students from countries outside the European Union, members of local cultural associations at the museum of their place, parent and guardian associations, employees of the Piraeus Bank Group and organised groups of 20 people or more. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Admission is free for visitors under 18. |
| Seniors | €4For all visitors over 65, on presentation of an identity card or passport. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree admission for students of Greek and equivalent schools from countries of the European Union; reduced ticket for students from countries outside the European Union. |
| Groups (20+ people) | €4 per personOrganised visits of 20 people or more, arranged by travel agencies or organisations. |
Free admission: 18 May (International Museum Day), 5 June (World Environment Day) and the last weekend of September (European Heritage Days).
Free admission is also available for, among others, teachers, journalists, guides, members of ICOM and ICOMOS, unemployed people, members of large families and people with disabilities together with their companion. While the works are in progress, admission is free for everyone.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Due to the terrain, the museum is partly accessible for people with disabilities. A leaflet in Braille is available, in Greek and English.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Young visitors throw corn kernels into the trough of the flour mill and watch the grinding, as well as the rhythmic mechanism of the gunpowder mill. Educational programmes and an educational folder are offered for schools.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
- Accessible parking
The museum is near the Lousios river, in the area of Kefalari Agios Ioannis, just outside the village of Dimitsana.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
On site there are a snack bar and a shop, free Wi-Fi, free car parking and an automatic external defibrillator.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Amateur photography and video recording are permitted; professional use requires a special permit from PIOP. |
| Good to know | Group visits and school visits are arranged by phone on +30 2795 031 630. Pets are not permitted, except guide dogs. After the visit, a walk through the Lousios gorge is recommended. |
