Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”
Photo: Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos” in Vlychada, Santorini, preserves the island’s tomato processing heritage, featuring exhibits from a 1945 factory.
Planning your visit
Santorini was a tomato island before it was a wine island. The small, intensely flavoured tomatoes grown in volcanic soil without irrigation supported a processing industry from the early twentieth century, and canned tomato paste was a significant export.
The Tomato Industrial Museum occupies the D. Nomikos factory at Vlychada, which operated from 1945 to 1981, with the machinery left in place — boilers, canning lines, steam engines and the tools of a labour-intensive seasonal industry that employed much of the island.
Oral histories from former workers run through the exhibition.
The industry collapsed when tourism arrived and land values made agriculture uncompetitive, which is the wider story of the Cyclades.
The building now also houses an arts space, and the black-sand beach at Vlychada is one of the island's more dramatic.
Allow an hour. The main booking is an admission ticket with audio guide. Current availability is listed below.
Before you book
Where is Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”?
Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos” is in Vlychada, Greece.
How long should I allow for Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”?
Allow an hour. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Is Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos” free to enter?
Yes, general admission to Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos” is free. Guided tours and special exhibitions may still be charged separately.
What are the opening hours of Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”?
Monday closed. Hours change on public holidays, so check the official site before travelling.
Do I need to book Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos” in advance?
The audio-guide option can normally be added on arrival, though booking ahead secures the date.