Folklore Museum Sykaminia

Folklore Museum Sykaminia opening hoursIf you are visiting the north coast of Lesvos you simply must visit the Folklore Museum Sykaminia. It has beautiful views across the Aegean Sea to Turkey and gives a wonderful insight into life in Sykaminia around 1900. Sadly, most visitors head straight to Skala Sykaminias to photograph the picturesque harbour with the church of the Mermaid Madonna. Both the harbour and the church are worth visiting, but be sure you stop off at the charming Folklore Museum Sykaminia for a 100-year journey back in time.

Signpost Folklore Museum SykaminiaSykamina clings to the side of Mount Lepetymnos on the northern coast at 300 metres above sea level. The entrance to the museum is easy to miss even though it is on the main road. Look out for the (small) sign on the road and see the map below.

There is a lot of confusion about the name of the village (and the fishing port below). If you look through the photographs here and then do an internet search, you will find the following spellings (and more) are in frequent use:

  • Sikaminia
  • Sykaminia
  • Sikaminea
  • Sykamia
  • Skamia

So I decided to ask the two ladies in charge of the museum which spelling was correct. They replied Skamnia, so that’s all clear!

As of August 2016, the Folklore Museum Sykaminia had no printed information available in any language and the volunteers who help out only speak Greek. This should not put you off. The exhibits are pretty much self-explanatory. If you have questions email me (include a photo of the subject) and I will try to find the relevant information.

Inside the museum is the Stratis Myrivilis Hall, the room is dedicated to the famous author. There are some fantastic old photographs which we found totally fascinating.

Stratis Myrivilis Hall

Another room is set out as a school room of the period, complete with school books and handwriting samples. What a comparison to the computer age classroom!School room at the Folklore Museum Sykaminia

How to find the Folklore Museum Sykaminia

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About Robin

We started visiting Lesvos such a long time ago we can't remember when. We simply fell in love with the island in general and Molyvos in particular. In 2005 we bought some land and tried to manage the building of our house from the UK. Holidays became site visits and our house was [mostly] completed in 2007. In 2009 we sold up in the UK and moved to Molyvos. This is now our home and we count ourselves amongst the luckiest of the lucky. I am a member of the Molyvos Tourist Association, providing photographs for their brochures and general publicity. Most of my time is spent on activities to encourage tourism or taking photographs of one of the most beautiful places on earth. I also produce calendars and sell them on-line through Lesvos Calendars. Please visit and have a look. You can also see more of my photographs on my  Robin Sanders Photography website.

2 thoughts on “Folklore Museum Sykaminia

    • It’s about 80km and I think it will take about an hour and a half or perhaps a little more.

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