Museums in Naxos Town
Archaeological Museum
The Naxos archaeological museum is housed in a building which constitutes a representative sample of the island's architectural style during the Latin rule and it is located in one of the narrow ascending alleys which lead to the castle. The building was housing ones the Jesuits' Academy, in the late 19th century- early 20th century, the building housed the known ‘'Emporiki Scholi'' (School of Commerce) which was visited by Nikos Kazantzakis, while in 1973, the building was given to the Ministry of Culture. The archaeological collections of the museum include important finds from the excavations made in Naxos and in the neighbour islands and are dated from the Neolithic Age until the late Roman period (4th millennium BC- 16 century AC.).
The Naxos archaeological Museum is famous for its two very important collections, the Cycladic and the Mycenaean. The first collection includes finds from the first Cycladic period which extends from the late 4th century BC. to the late 3rd century BC. -a period during which, the Cyclades were an important center of cultural development.
The Mycenaean Period is represented mainly by valuable pottery decorated with paintings which are inspired by the natural environment, copper swords, objects made of ivory and gold, beads made of semi- valuable stones, as well as rings that were found in a excavations of tombs of that period. In addition, in the museum are exhibited finds dated to the Geometric period (amphora and pots with abundant decoration) and a lot of samples of the geometric architecture which were found on the island's tombs, i.e. golden and objects made of clay.
Finally, go up to the museum's terrace to admire the unique mosaic flooring that was found in residence of the 3rd century BC. and the depicts a semi- nude figure of a woman which is reading a see monster.
Metroplis Site Museum
It is an unusual museum, deigned by Agni Kouvela. It is locate in the square of the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral and displays an important collection of finds from the ancient town of Naxos. The collection includes a significant finds and indoor images with gradual chronological transition from the Mycenaean period (1300- 1100 BC) to the Geometrical period ( 900- 700 BC). From the Mycenaean period, a big part of the town's walls is preserved in a good condition. On the foot of the walls, one can discern small vessel workshops which give unique information about the manufacture of that age. From the Geometric period it was found an altar, which is surrounded by broken pots. This was part of an earthen tomb which was constructed to cover the graves of prominent Naxians. The enlightening designs, the ground plans and the representations of the ancient town will help you understand better the space, the finds and the historic transition from one collection to an other.
Venetian Museum (Domus Della Rocca Barozzi)
The well preserved tower owned by Nikos Karavias, which is situated in the castle of Chora, has been converted into antique folklore museum which houses furniture and objects dated to the 17th- 19th century, all belonging to a common household of that age. The ventian Museum is a representative sample of the Naxian mansion house with influences from the west.
Folk Museum Collection of Naxos (by B & K Koutelieris)
On the main pedestrian street of Naxos' old market, in place Roupel, operates as from this year, a private Folk Art collection of Naxos by B & K Koutelieris. The collection displays the cultural and historical course of Naxos' society. Here, you can see parts of a typical household of Naxos, while at the same, the activities that marked the island, especially during the last 100 years (emery mines, Friends Female School) are displayed on giant posters- documents.
The Naxos archaeological museum is housed in a building which constitutes a representative sample of the island's architectural style during the Latin rule and it is located in one of the narrow ascending alleys which lead to the castle. The building was housing ones the Jesuits' Academy, in the late 19th century- early 20th century, the building housed the known ‘'Emporiki Scholi'' (School of Commerce) which was visited by Nikos Kazantzakis, while in 1973, the building was given to the Ministry of Culture. The archaeological collections of the museum include important finds from the excavations made in Naxos and in the neighbour islands and are dated from the Neolithic Age until the late Roman period (4th millennium BC- 16 century AC.).
The Naxos archaeological Museum is famous for its two very important collections, the Cycladic and the Mycenaean. The first collection includes finds from the first Cycladic period which extends from the late 4th century BC. to the late 3rd century BC. -a period during which, the Cyclades were an important center of cultural development.
The Mycenaean Period is represented mainly by valuable pottery decorated with paintings which are inspired by the natural environment, copper swords, objects made of ivory and gold, beads made of semi- valuable stones, as well as rings that were found in a excavations of tombs of that period. In addition, in the museum are exhibited finds dated to the Geometric period (amphora and pots with abundant decoration) and a lot of samples of the geometric architecture which were found on the island's tombs, i.e. golden and objects made of clay.
Finally, go up to the museum's terrace to admire the unique mosaic flooring that was found in residence of the 3rd century BC. and the depicts a semi- nude figure of a woman which is reading a see monster.
Metroplis Site Museum
It is an unusual museum, deigned by Agni Kouvela. It is locate in the square of the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral and displays an important collection of finds from the ancient town of Naxos. The collection includes a significant finds and indoor images with gradual chronological transition from the Mycenaean period (1300- 1100 BC) to the Geometrical period ( 900- 700 BC). From the Mycenaean period, a big part of the town's walls is preserved in a good condition. On the foot of the walls, one can discern small vessel workshops which give unique information about the manufacture of that age. From the Geometric period it was found an altar, which is surrounded by broken pots. This was part of an earthen tomb which was constructed to cover the graves of prominent Naxians. The enlightening designs, the ground plans and the representations of the ancient town will help you understand better the space, the finds and the historic transition from one collection to an other.
Venetian Museum (Domus Della Rocca Barozzi)
The well preserved tower owned by Nikos Karavias, which is situated in the castle of Chora, has been converted into antique folklore museum which houses furniture and objects dated to the 17th- 19th century, all belonging to a common household of that age. The ventian Museum is a representative sample of the Naxian mansion house with influences from the west.
Folk Museum Collection of Naxos (by B & K Koutelieris)
On the main pedestrian street of Naxos' old market, in place Roupel, operates as from this year, a private Folk Art collection of Naxos by B & K Koutelieris. The collection displays the cultural and historical course of Naxos' society. Here, you can see parts of a typical household of Naxos, while at the same, the activities that marked the island, especially during the last 100 years (emery mines, Friends Female School) are displayed on giant posters- documents.