Museum of Prehistoric Thera: Discover the art of Aegean wall painting

The first of the two exhibitions focuses on the evolution of Thera from the mid-5th millennium BC to the 17th century BC, rendered through a wide range of exceptionally well-preserved finds, mostly discovered in the prehistoric town at Akrotiri. This flourishing society made the southernmost island of the Cyclades one of the most important centers in the Aegean during the 18th and 17th centuries BC. The final phase of habitation of the prehistoric town, before it was eventually destroyed, is especially important, as the large number of objects preserved in volcanic ash – as if trapped in amber – offers unique insight into various aspects of daily life and the people who lived it.

The second exhibition focuses on wall painting, a monumental artistic expression in Aegean civilization, highlighting the unparalleled wealth of frescoes discovered in the prehistoric town at Akrotiri. The exhibition features 28 wall paintings from the buildings known as the “West House” and “Xeste 3,” within the context of the decorative programs of the spaces they adorned. Among them are world-famous frescoes, such as those of the “Fishermen,” the “Flotilla Miniature,” the “Adorants,” the “Nude Boys,” the “Saffron Gatherers” and the “Goddess of Nature”,complemented by the frescoes of the “Monkeys” and those from the “House of the Ladies,” displayed in the first exhibition section.

The Theran frescoes, which mirror the social customs and fashions of the time, with a variety of vivid representations and colors that remain remarkably vibrant, are a testament to the high level of artistic achievement on the island of Thera. Attributed to several different painters, they provide a wealth of information about the outward-facing and prosperous Theran society of the Late Bronze Age. Seeing them in person is a truly unique experience for visitors of the Museum of Prehistoric Thera.