South Aegean Region Increases Funds for Tilos’ New Archaeological Museum

A 3D floor plan of the Diachronic Archaeological Museum of Tilos. Photo source: Dodecanese Ephorate of Antiquities.

The Region of South Aegean recently increased funding for the construction of the Diachronic Archaeological Museum of Tilos, an important cultural project for the island and the wider region.

According to the regional authority’s announcement, funds for the project have been raised to 2,565,730 euros from 2,505,730 euros taking into account the need to carry out additional works and to extend the museum’s completion deadline. It is reminded that the project had received additional funds in 2021.

Financed by the “South Aegean 2014-2020” Regional Operational Program, the project foresees the construction of the diachronic museum, as well as the restoration and preservation of the interior plaster decoration and frescoes of the Holy Monastery of Agios Panteleimon.

The museum’s construction will include the latest bioclimatic technology on an area of 798 square meters on the southern outskirts of the island’s Megalo Chorio and will boast innovative renewable energy applications.

The permanent exhibition of the archaeological museum will highlight some of the island’s distinctive features, including the Harkadio cave, local poetess Irinna, Tilos’ aristocratic families history and gold jewellery from the tomb of Kenes, among others.

The Agios Panteleimon Holy Monastery in Tilos. Photo source: Shutterstock/ David Fowler.

The museum will also have a multi-purpose hall to be used for cultural events and educational programs.

Furthermore, it will offer its visitors a guide published in two languages and the Braille system for the visually impaired.

The construction of the new museum, which was originally announced in 2017, is being carried out by the Dodecanese Service of Modern Monuments and Technical Works of the Culture Ministry, and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.