Folklore Museum of Samothrace: The Mansion of Tradition
The Folklore Museum of Samothrace highlights the rich cultural heritage of the island through its exhibition collection. Located in Chora of Samothrace, the museum operates in a remarkable traditional building of the 19th century, next to the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos. This building, belonging to the Municipality of Samothrace and donated by the Greek-American Dimitrios Asdraniadis in 1952, serves as a architectural epitome of the richness of local history.
A Journey through the Diversity of Samothrace's Local Cultural Heritage via the Exhibition Collection
On the ground floor of the museum, objects related to the daily life of Samothrace residents are exhibited. A variety of exhibits depict agriculture, with tools of the "Kechagia" (local shepherd), agricultural tools, and spinning tools. Additionally, visitors encounter a realistic tableau of a typical Samothracian family, combining elements from both folk and urban tradition.
A Voyage into the Daily Life and Traditions of the Island
Moving to the museum's first floor offers an immersion into local costumes. The men's attire reflects the variety of garments and accessories, such as the tsirvoula (headscarf), kaltsounia (leggings), breeches, znar (waistcoat), pkamsiou (cloak), gileko (vest), aba (jacket), and hat. Similarly, the women's attire offers simple, beautiful ensembles, with a belt adorned with silver pom-poms and a white scarf worn as a veil on the head. Visitors can also discover precious items such as woven rugs, decorative plates, cotton bedspreads, and silk fabrics, representing the region's artistic wealth. A separate exhibition area houses a wood-carved iconostasis from the early 20th century, adorned with rare images from the island's churches. The conception and realization of the museum belong to a group of local educators who began collecting folklore material in the 1970s. This effort continued with the establishment of the museum in the 1980s, under the auspices of the Cultural Association of Samothrace and the support of the Municipality of Samothrace. With its extensive collection of objects and narrative arrangements, the Folklore Museum of Samothrace offers a valuable perspective on the culture and history of the island, highlighting the importance of daily life and traditions within the local community. The Folklore Museum operates during the summer months, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM and from 5:30 PM to 11:45 PM. For more information, you can contact them at 2551041227.