Visit the Museums in Skyros
The two main museums of Skyros are the Archaeological Museum and the Faltaits Folklore Museum. They are located very close together, so you could set aside an afternoon and visit both of them if you have the chance.
Archaeological Museum of Skyros
The Archaeological Museum is located in the capital town of Chora, next door to Brooke Square, and is something that every visitor to Skyros should visit. The museum was established in 1963 and inaugurated 10 years later in 1973, and exhibits various findings from archaeological excavations that have been able to tell the story of the island and it’s interesting history.
The island was inhabited from the Neolithic Period, between 5500 – 2800 B.C. ) and flourished during the early Bronze Age ( 2800 – 1900 B.C. ) and the Mycenaean Period ( 1650 – 1100 B.C.)
You’ll be able to see some of the findings from the ancient site of Palamari in the north of the island, as well as from other excavations that have taken place through the years. There are two main halls of the museum, each of which offers a fascinating insight into the history of Skyros with wonderful displays of ceramics, jewellery, vases and other ancient objects of interest.
The museum also explains to visitors about the traditions of Skyros, and part of the museum is a representation of a traditional Skyros home, with the various rooms, furnishing, tools and equipment that were common place in homes. This offers visitors the opportunity to literally step back in time and catch a glimpse of what life was like in Skyros in years gone by.
The Archaeological Museum of Skyros is small in size compared to other museums around the country, but it is a truly beautiful place to visit. You should give yourself at least an hour to properly enjoy the museum.
Entrance to the museum is €2 with a reduced rate of €1. The museum is open throughout the year from 08:00 – 15:00 on Tuesdays to Sundays. It is closed on Mondays, as well as on holidays such as Christmas, New Years and Easter.
Tel: ( + 30 ) 22220 91327
The Faltaits Historical - Folklore Museum
The Faltaits Museum was founded in 1964 by Manos Faltaits, and was one of the first traditional local museums to operate in Greece. The building of the museum is a beautiful manor which houses a huge range of artefacts and exhibits including bookings, pottery, traditional costumes, woodwork, embroidery and much more.
The museum played a big role in the organising and operating of folklore museums around the country, and Manos and Anastasia Faltaits both played a key role in this museum becoming one of the most popular and much loved in Greece.
As you walk around the museum, each room provides you with a wide range of items to view, each meticulously selected to offer visitors a chance to enjoy their beauty and importance in the life of Skyros and its people.
The traditional Skyros costumes are a popular exhibit in the museum, and you can view these colourful and beautifully crafted pieces of clothing. The “Skyrian House” exhibitions allows visitors the chance to experience the day to day life of locals and see the types of furnishings found in the average home. The museum also has a section with hundreds and hundreds of books on display, many of which are very old and rare.
If you are planning on visiting this beautiful museum, and it is highly recommended that you do so, you should afford yourself at least a couple of hours to properly enjoy and experience everything that is has to offer. For entrance fees and opening hours, please call the museum.
Tel: ( + 30 ) 22220 91327
Website: faltaits.gr