Laskarideio Folklore Museum

The museum is housed in a single-story municipal building and consists of four exhibition halls along with auxiliary spaces.

The first exhibition hall is devoted to silk production and textiles, an activity that flourished in Kios and played a major role in supporting the refugees economically after their arrival in Greece. Traditional garments and various objects related to silk craftsmanship are displayed there.

The second hall presents the journey from Kios in Bithynia to Nea Kios in Argolis through documents, photographs, and historical records. This section highlights the experiences of the refugees and preserves the collective memory of the community.

The third hall is dedicated to ecclesiastical objects, including religious vessels, priestly vestments, and photographic material connected with religious ceremonies and traditions. The fourth hall exhibits objects of everyday domestic life, such as cooking utensils, quilts, blankets, embroidery, pillows, and household items that reflect the lifestyle of the refugee families.

Outside the museum, visitors can explore a traditional garden area featuring a traditional oven and agricultural tools, offering insight into rural life and local customs.

The museum began operating in 1982. The first efforts for its establishment were initiated by Virginia Matseli, originally from Kios, who recognized the strong desire of the residents of Nea Kios to preserve the few objects they had brought with them from their homeland in Asia Minor. During her research, she collaborated with the physician and historian Evrysthenis Laskaridis, author of the important historical work “Ta Kiana,” dedicated to the history of Kios. Together, they realized the necessity of creating a folklore museum that would safeguard the heritage of the refugee community.

Significant support for the museum’s foundation came from Ioanna Papantoniou, president of the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation, the Association of Kians Worldwide, and the residents of Nea Kios.

In 1996, the Municipality of Nea Kios decided to reorganize the museum and assigned a team of specialists to create a new exhibition. In 1999, the museum became a Public Legal Entity, and in 2002 the new exhibition, titled “Keys of Memory: From Askanios of Bithynia to Erasinos of Argolis,” was officially inaugurated by Lina Mendoni, Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture.

Today, the Laskarideio Folklore Museum stands as a significant center of historical memory and cultural heritage, preserving the traditions, experiences, and identity of the Asia Minor refugee community for future generations.