Apiranthos: One Greek Village Five Distinct Museums

Apiranthos is home to five distinct museums that a visitor to the village would be remiss to miss. Each one provides insight into various aspects of the region’s history and topography.

How often do you hear about one little village housing 5 unique museums?

On Naxos.

Enrich your Naxos holiday experience with a visit to one or all of the following museums. There is sure to be one to spark your interest.

• Archaeological Museum “Michalis Bardanis” (Main Street, t. +30 22850 61725). More than 1,200 artifacts (marble figurines, jewelry, tools and other materials from the region), the majority of which are from the pre-Cycladic period and a few from as far back as the Neolothic age, document a timeline of island life from pre-historic times. (Open daily year round from 8 am-3 pm; closed Mondays; entrance is free).
•  Folklore Museum (Main Square, Platsa, +30 22850 61725) Over 1,200 objects donated by locals make up the collection that range from musical instruments, farming and agricultural tools, domestic wares, costumes, woven fabrics and more. (Open 10.30 am-7.30 pm in July and 10.30 am-9 pm in August. Entrance is free.)
• Geological Museum “Petros Protopapadakis” (tel. +30 22850 61725) A gem of a museum housing one of the richest collections of its kind in Greece, the museum displays more than 2,000 samples of rock, minerals, ores and fossils from Naxos and beyond. (Open 10.30 am-7.30 pm in July and 10.30 am-9 pm in August. Entrance is free.)
• Natural History Museum (+30 22850 61725) is sure to be a treat for kids and adults alike. Divided into two sections – land and sea – its exhibitions explore the mammals of the Aegean blue and flora and fauna of the region. The museum features two aquariums and an interesting display of skeletons of mammals and amphibians such as sea turtle, dolphins, Mediterranean monk seal and whale. (Open 10.30 am-7.30 pm in July and 10.30 am-9 pm in August. Entrance fee: €3, with free entrance to Museum of Visual Arts).
• Museum of Visual Arts of Apiranthos founded in 2008, the museum features a wonderful and impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, engravings and other works of art by artists who live or come from Apiranthos. (Open 10.30 am-7.30 pm in July and 10.30 am-9 pm in August. 
  Entrance fee: €3, with free entrance to Natura History Museum).

Also checkout:

• The Apiranthos Women’s Traditional Crafts Cooperative for its shop of locally produced spoon sweets, liqueurs and woven items.
• Nikis N. Glezou Library of Apiranthos for book lovers, bookworms and students. (Entrance is free.)