LOCAL ART ATTRACTIONS

Explore the many museums and attractions on the island of Hydra dedicated to the artistry and history of the island.

TOMPAZI MANSION

The Annex of Hydra is a 19th century building situated in the port of Hydra. The building is known as ” Tompazi mansion” because it belonged to Admiral Manolis Tompazis, member of an old naval family of Hydra that took part in the Greek Revolution of 1821.

  • The building represents an important historical and architectural monument constructed with walls of carved stone. The building consists of 3 floors with 1.100 m2 of total surface and a courtyard garden.

HYDRA LAZAROS KOUNDOURIOTIS MANSION

A truly imposing three-story building constructed in 1780, the Mansion of Lazaros Koundouriotis is one of the most important sights in Hydra! Koundouriotis, a great figure in the Greek War of Independence, the country’s naval forces, and the island of Hydra, helped the revolution by donating most of his family’s fortune to support the cause and used this space as a meeting point for Greek fighters.

  • A descendant of the Koundouriotis family decided to grant the mansion to the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece in 1979, now operating under the auspices and the overview of the National Historical Museum! It houses lots of family antiques, including paintings, old furniture, and tableware, as well as traditional costumes and a grandiose knitting loom! Plus, there is a gift shop on-site, with posters, cards, and other souvenirs.

    The Lazaros Koundouriotis Mansion is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00 and 17:30 to 20:30, March to October!

HYDRA ECCLESIASTICAL MUSEUM

One of the most interesting places to visit in Hydra is the Ecclesiastical and Byzantine (or Agios Makarios Notaras) Museum. The museum is housed in the church of Assumption, which is also the Cathedral of Hydra. This cathedral was originally built in 1648 and was reconstructed in 1774. For a short period, it also operated as a monastery.

The Ecclesiastical Museum has rare Byzantine icons, clerk relics, and holy gospels.

  • From April 1 to November 15, the Museum is open every day from 10:00 to 17:00 except for Mondays.

HYDRA HISTORICAL ARCHIVES MUSEUM

The Historical Archives Museum of Hydra, founded in 1918, is housed in an elegant stone mansion that once belonged to local shipowner Ghikas Koulouras.

The museum holds numerous items donated by descendants of prominent families who shaped Hydra’s social structure in the 1800s and played a key role in launching the Greek War of Independence. Its distinctive nautical theme reflects Hydra’s strategic importance as a safe harbor and base for the Greek fleet during that period.

  • The Archives were originally classified and catalogued by Antonios Lignos, who served as both the island’s doctor and mayor. Ghikas Koulouras generously built and donated the original building for the Archives, intended for community use.

    The current director, Dina Adamopoulou, is a historian and archivist who curates the museum’s activities and events.

HYDRA TETSIS MUSEUM

The fascinating Tetsis Museum of Hydra is housed inside the old residence and studio of Panayiotis Tetsis! Donated to the Historical and Ethnological Society by the late painter himself in 2007, this exciting structure was once a small grocery store, made evident upon entering the museum.

The museum features vivid, colorful walls, and its interiors are decorated with countless paintings and various artworks of Tetsis himself. Its ground floor also has a bedroom and a couple of dining spots. In contrast, the first floor has a hallway with awards and a collection of paintings on paper, a secondary bedroom, and the artist’s main workspace, hosting a plethora of stunning exhibits.