In the Ecclesiastical Museum of Nisyros are collected a number of ecclesiastical relics of Nisyros which come mainly from the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani and the Parish of Panagia Potamitissa.
The museum consists of two main areas with exhibits of great interest. It has an abundance of material that includes old candlesticks, chalices, censers and church utensils, to old Gospels from the early 19th century, reliquaries, crosses, vestments and old seals. It also has a large collection of coins and banknotes from the hoard of the faithful, Greek and foreign, as well as various tributes and offerings made mainly to Panagia Spiliani.
Other objects that have been collected and exhibited in the church museum of Nisyros are related to the church sacraments, such as old bathing baths, wedding dresses and ornaments of the bride of Nisyria, or bridal jugs used by brides to wash themselves before the sacrament. It also hosts various objects related to the festival of Panagia Spiliani, such as old cauldrons used to cook chickpeas and clay dishes used to eat them. In addition, it houses a collection of icons from the 19th and early 20th centuries and a copy of the marble altarpiece formerly held by Panagia Spiliani.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou
