New Archaeological Museum Opens on Kythnos

The Kythnos museum. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni recently inaugurated the long-awaited archaeological museum on the Cycladic Island of Kythnos.

Housed in the old primary school of the island’s Chora (main town), the museum showcases the island’s unique cultural heritage and also promotes its sustainable future.

“Giving a museum to local communities is very important because you are giving them part of their identity,” said Mendoni during the inauguration event.

During her speech, the minister underlined the need to preserve the Greek islands’ great comparative advantages: cultural heritage and unique natural environment.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni speaking during the event. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

The museum’s exhibits are drawn from important sites on Kythnos, including the ancient city (Vryokastro) and the early settlement of Maroulas, where excavations have been carried out since the 1990s by Alexandros Mazarakis-Ainian.

The artefacts on display are a result of systematic surface research and excavations at the ancient city, collections and rescue interventions at Kythnos’ countryside, collections of scattered finds from various locations on the island, and the excavation in the Mesolithic settlement of Maroulas.

Funded by the South Aegean Regional NSRF 2014-2021 Program with a budget of 1.6 million euros, the Kythnos museum was included in the program in 2016 by Regional Governor George Hadjimakros.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni with South Aegean Regional Governor George Hadjimarkos. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

According to the Culture Ministry, the opening of the Archaeological Museum of Kythnos marks a significant moment for the island, as it provides a platform to celebrate and preserve its cultural heritage.

The museum’s inauguration event was also attended by Kythnos Mayor Stamatis Garderis and representatives from other local authorities.