Description of the attraction
The Megaro Gizi Museum, also known as the Megaro Gizi Cultural Center, is located in Fira, Santorini. It was founded in 1980 at the initiative and with the financial support of the Catholic Diocese of Santorini.
The museum is housed in a beautiful old 17th century mansion that formerly belonged to the Venetian family of Gizi and itself is of exceptional historical and architectural value. The building is a typical example of Cycladic architecture. The mansion was donated to the Catholic Diocese of Santorini to create a cultural center. This is one of the few ancient buildings that managed to survive after a strong earthquake in 1956. The building has been renovated to preserve its architectural features and original character as much as possible. Some changes have been made, nevertheless, in accordance with the functional requirements that are necessary for the placement of exhibition space and cultural events.
The exposition of the museum is very interesting and extensive. It features a collection of original engravings from the 16th-17th centuries and traditional national costumes. The collection of paintings is also interesting, perfectly illustrating the life of the inhabitants of Santorini and the picturesque landscapes of the island (works of both Greek and foreign artists are presented). Exhibited in the museum are thousands of rare public and private documents and historical manuscripts (16-17 centuries), introducing visitors to the culture of the region and various aspects of the social and political life of Santorini. Most of the documents presented are in Greek, but there are also documents in Italian, Turkish and Latin. A special place is occupied by a gorgeous collection of photographs, among which there are rare copies of the world famous photographer Pintos Vikentios, depicting Santorini in the period 1930-1956.
The main goal of the museum is to popularize both the Cycladic culture in general and the traditions of Santorini in particular. On an ongoing basis, various concerts, theatrical performances, painting exhibitions and photo exhibitions, film festivals, lectures and other cultural events are held here. The Megaro Gizi Museum is very popular not only among the inhabitants of the island, it is annually visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world.
