09 Jul Discover the archaeological museum of Lefkada
The Archaeological Museum of Lefkada is housed in the Municipal Cultural Centre of Lefkada since 1999. It hosts the archaeological findings from the broader region of ancient Nirikos and the excavations in Nydri, Hirospilia of Evgiros, Asvotrypa of Fryni, Meganisi and other parts of the island. The exhibits cover a large time period from the Middle Palaeolithic Age to the late Roman times.
It consists of four halls:
In the first hall there are findings from the private and public life of the locals during the historic times (topography of the ancient town, residences, bread, olive and olive oil, wine, trade, fishing, weaving, coins, music). Of special interest are the findings that concern the music: bronze flute keys found in tombs as burial offerings in tombs and a soundbox called “helonio” (turtle shell) with bone keys from an ancient lyre, along with its reconstruction by Giorgos Polyzos, an artist from Epirus.
In the second hall there are texts of ancient literature reports about the ancient deities of the island, accompanied by clay idols and tablets with their depictions. Of special importance is a signet from the late antiquity that represents the abduction of Europe by Zeus in the form of a white bull.
In the third hall there are findings connected with burial customs. Gravestones, stone urns, boxes and offerings from the graveyards of the ancient town are the treasures of this specific department. The exhibition concludes with a representation of a part of the ancient graveyard.
In the fourth hall of the museum there are the findings of W. Dörpfeld who spent many years of excavations on the island supporting his theory that Lefkada was the Homeric Ithaca. There are stone tools from the Middle Palaeolithic Age. The spearheads and the unfinished hand axe of Achelean craftwork are particularly interesting. There are also pots and shells of various styles, clay idols and stone tools from the Neolithic Age. From the Copper Age there are copper tools and weapons, pots, stone tools and representations of jewellery from the tombs of the Early Helladic Period in Steno of Nydri, where Dörpfeld located the capital of Homeric Ithaca, and also findings from graves of the Middle Helladic Period.
Address: A. Sikelianou & 1, N. Svoronou, Lefkada
Open everyday except Monday (08.00 – 14.45)
General entrance: €2, Students: €1. From 11/1/16 to 3/31/17 general entrance is €1.
Information: +202645021635