Museum of marine life and findings - Valsamidis Museum

It is located at the coastal village Vlichadia. It is a private museum, a life's work of Valsamidis brothers, who were born and live in Kalymnos, with exhibits related to sponge fishing, a big variety of sea plants and sea animals and a collection of trade amphorae and other finds from ancient shipwrecks.

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It is one of the richest private collections in Greece and they needed over forty (40) years to collect these findings. Various kinds of sponges, corals, shells, fish, strange sea creatures, sponge diving equipment, World War II findings, pictures, documents, coins, ancient amphora and even an ancient wreck, are included in their collection .

Part of the museum is dedicated to the profession of sponge-fishing and includes all the tools and protective suits used by divers, from 1872 until today. In a wing are exhibited findings of the First and Second World War such as torpedoes, pieces of airplanes etc. In a specially designed area the visitor has the opportunity to see amphorae of the 6th, 4th, 3rd and 2nd c.BC. There is also a collection of about 2,000 photographs related to the history and tradition of sponge-fishing.

Finally in the museum you will also witness the sponge processing and you may find nice souvenirs such as sponges, corals and shells in the store that operates within.