Kalymnos Archaeological Museum

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

The Archaeological Museum of Kalymnos is located in the heart of Pothia, about 1.5 km from the port. The museum boasts a varied collection of exhibits that attest to the island's historic past throughout the centuries. The collection used to be housed in an authentic, 19th-century mansion but was moved to a more modern building in 2009.

The Museum is comprised of two exhibition halls and the museum floor. The first hall is centered around prehistoric times on the island and includes various prehistoric tools, utensils, ceramics, and pots. Many of these items were unearthed in the myriads of caves that dominate the Kalymnian landscape. An area of the hall is dedicated to the Sanctuary of Dellian Apollo, the most important religious center of ancient Kalymnos, where many offerings have been found through the years.

The second hall mainly exhibits findings from the ancient settlement of Damos and silver and Bronze coins that originated from Kalymnos, Kos, and some foreign cities. A variety of items that were found in the necropolis of Kalymnos such as jewelry, earrings, crowns, and rings are displayed as well. Classical artworks, vases, statues, and an array of Byzantine-era treasures, pictures, and manuscripts are also showcased and further illustrate the island’s rich and diverse history.

The highlight of the Archaeological Museum is undoubtedly the Lady of Kalymnos. This near-fully preserved bronze statue dates to the Hellenistic period, around the 4th or 3rd century BC. It depicts a woman covered with a tunic and a robe and stands out for its impressive details, featuring different textures between her skin, hair, and overcoat. The statue was found by a local fisherman in the sea of Kalymnos in 1995. It was quickly moved to Athens, where it was displayed in the National Archaeological Museum before being transferred to the Museum of Kalymnos in 2009.

The Archaeological Museum of Kalymnos is open every day except for Tuesday, from 08:30 to 15:30.