Naxos Ancient Town Museum

Location: Town

Permanently closed.
The Museum of Naxos Ancient Town (Metropolis Museum) belongs to the Cathedral of Naxos, right in front of the Zoodochos Pigi Church at one of the squares of Chora. It is a small museum, built on the excavated sites of an ancient Mycenaean town of the 11th century BC.

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The place is known as the archaeological site of Grotta. The exhibits include pieces of pottery, ancient graves, remains of residences, walls, and other buildings. Experts estimate that the acropolis of the settlement was built in the current location of Kastro.

The excavations at the ancient site were conducted between 1982 and 1985, and the museum opened to the public in 1999.

The location is well arranged and fitted with glass panels for the visitors to see the old findings and remnants of the Mycenaean and Geometric settlements.
The city was reportedly deserted after the Mycenaean Era, probably because the inhabitants were afraid of the sea flooding.
The remains of the town were found underneath a Roman settlement, while another part of the ancient city appears to have sunk under the seabed as a result of the geological changes over the centuries. 
Cemeteries of the same period are situated in Aplomata and Kamini areas.

How to get there

The Museum of Naxos Ancient Town is located in Chora.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport, or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: 0030 22850 25835, 0030 22850 24829, or booking your taxi online.

Car rental: There's the option of renting a car and picking it up directly from the airport, port, or your hotel. Using a car rental allows visitors to discover the Museum of Ancient Naxos and many other places of interest at their own pace.

Public transfers: The central bus station of the island is located at the port of Naxos. There are bus connections between Chora and most areas of the island. Consider that time schedules might change according to the season. Check the official timetables here.