Tinos Chalepas Museum

Location: Pyrgos
Don't miss: Museums guide (free admission dates and other useful info)

Born in 1851 in the settlement of Pyrgos, Yannoulis Chalepas is perhaps the most famous personality in Tinos and one of the most notable sculptors in modern Greece. His family had a long tradition of marble working, with his father and uncle having decorated churches and built funerary monuments. He quickly followed in their footsteps, studying the craft in the Athens School of Arts, under the tutelage of famed sculptor Leonidas Drosis. He then started his own workshop and would go on to create many beautiful works of art throughout his tumultuous career, all the way up until his death in 1938.

Today, the traditional house of Yannoulis Chalepas has been transformed into a small museum, preserving the legacy of the much-beloved artist. The museum is located right at the entrance of Pyrgos, next to the Museum of Tinian Artists, and bears characteristics of the traditional architecture of the area. A small but beautiful courtyard lies in front of the house, adorned with marble features and colorful flowers. A bust of Yannoulis Chalepas can also be seen here, along with a copy of the Sleeping Maiden, his most famous work that now lives in the First Cemetery of Athens.

Inside, the museum displays antique furniture that once belonged to Yannoulis Chalepas, such as his bed, table, chairs, and tools that also depict the traditional decoration of that time. Marble statues and busts made by the artist are showcased in all rooms, as well as personal items, clothing, photographs, and information on his life and work. Stepping into these rooms is like stepping into a time machine, offering you a one-of-a-kind view of the traditional ways of life on the island. Close to the museum, there is the marble workshop of Pyrgos, where young students learn how to work marble.

The Chalepas Museum is open every day except Monday from 11:00 to 18:00. It has a combined entrance fee with the Museum of Tinian Artists that is situated next door, providing visitors with an unparalleled look into the artistic and cultural heritage of Tinos.