Archeological Museum
The museum of Limnos, located in Mirina, has been operating since 1961 in a three-storey building near the “Romaic shoreline”. The museum houses findings from the excavations of the Italian School in Poliohni, Kavirio and Hephaestia. It also hosts the exhibits from the 5th Curator of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities originated from many regions of the island.
On the ground floor, the visitor begins his/her tour with findings from prehistoric Limnos. The visitor can view exhibits from Poliohni, extending from the oldest period, known as” the Black era”, through to the “Violet period”. Also located on the first floor are artifacts of Mirina and the entire island from the early Copper Ages as well as specimens of Mycenaean ceramics from Koukonissi.
On the same floor are exhibited also the marbles of the museum. Sculptures, inscriptions and tomb stones from Limnos and Imvros. Among the most important is a great replica of Erotas, work of the sculptor Lissipos, and two marble bas-relief lecythus.
On the first floor the visitor sees sculptures, tomb stones, inscriptions, pots and other artifacts from the islands of Limnos and Imvros. On the second floor, are exhibits from Limnos dated back from the 8th to the 6th century B.C.
These are exhibits excavated from the town of Kavirio, which has brought to light exquisite vessels, and the town of Hephaestia which has provided specimens of the sanctuary of the Great Goddess. The “sphinx” and the “Sirens”, divinities of the Under World that escorted mortals to Hades, are amongst two of the most important exhibits.