Nautical Museum of kalymnos

Μετάφραση Greek Version

Nautical Museum of kalymnos

The Maritime Museum of Kalymnos was founded in 1994 and is housed in the building of the old Technical School, next to the Town Hall, in Pothia. It presents the naval tradition of the island, the history and methods of sponge fishing as well as the life of the sponge divers and their families. Kalymnos has a long tradition in sponge fishing, lost in the depths of the centuries.

Visitors will learn the diving techniques and will see the equipment used by the divers, from the beginning of the 19th century until today. The exhibits include the stones that were tied on a rope to the boat, to take divers down to the bottom of the sea quickly, naval instruments, scuba gear, anchors, nautical lanterns, sponge processing tools, air pumps, boat miniatures, sponges of all types as well as findings of ancient shipwrecks.

The rich collection of photos, depicts the city and the social events before the departure of the sponge divers, demonstrating thus how inextricably connected was the social life with sponge fishing.