Megaro Gyzi Cultural Center & Museum, Santorini

Housed in a 17th-century mansion that once belonged to the Venetian Gyzi family, the Megaro Gyzi Cultural Center is one of the few surviving noble residences in Santorini. The cultural center was established in 1980 by the Catholic Diocese of Thera, with the aim of preserving and presenting aspects of the island’s cultural and historical heritage.

The permanent exhibition draws largely on archival and historical material, offering insight into local life from the 15th through the 20th centuries. Among the most notable items are 15th-century engravings of Cycladic landscapes, documents from the archives of the Catholic Diocese of Thera, and a photographic collection by Vikentios Pintos, whose images from the 1930s to the 1950s document everyday life on the island. Additional displays include geological material, historical maps, and paintings by Greek artists, contributing to a broad portrait of Santorini’s social and cultural past.

Beyond its exhibitions, Megaro Gyzi functions as an active cultural venue. It regularly hosts concerts, lectures, film screenings, and theatrical performances, as well as temporary art exhibitions. The center is closely associated with the Megaro Gyzi Festival, held annually in August, which features a program of classical music concerts, recitals, and cultural events. Among the recurring highlights is the International Piano Recital, which has become one of the festival’s most recognized events.

A small museum shop operates on site, offering books, exhibition catalogues, reproductions, and selected art-related items connected to the center’s collections and events.