Santorini Arts Factory
A Journey Through Time
The D. Nomikos Industrial Tomato Museum in Santorini
In the heart of the Aegean, on the enchanting island of Santorini, lies a hidden
treasure waiting to be discovered. It is the Industrial Tomato Museum D. Nomikos,
which you will recognize from afar as its characteristic chimney stands imposingly
over the beach of Vlychada. The museum's premises are an authentic piece of the
island, taking visitors on a journey through time to reveal the decisive role that the
Santorini cherry tomato and its processing played in the island's history.
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The Spaces
Santorini Arts Factory
An Industrial Heritage Comes to Life
The museum is housed in the old tomato factory of the Nomikos family, an excellent
example of Cycladic architecture that has been renovated with passion and respect
for its history. Entering the space, the visitor is transported to another era, where
the production of tomato paste and other tomato products was a key pillar of the
local economy.
Along the way, they come into contact with the traditional methods
followed by the tomato producers of Santorini and learn more about the gastronomy
and agricultural cultivation that are directly related to the product. At the end of the
journey, they have voluntarily delved into the history of the place and the living
conditions of the inhabitants, their daily activities and their traditions.
Visitors can explore the journey of the tomato from the field to the table, through a
comprehensive audio tour combined with interactive augmented reality exhibits,
which were implemented through the DeAR Museum Project program. At the same
time, unique mechanical equipment and tools, archival and photographic material,
as well as packages with historical value are exhibited, which are complemented by
rich audiovisual material with the recorded narratives and testimonies of people
who worked in the factory.
Through the museum's exhibits, the history of the cultivation and processing of the
Santorini cherry tomato unfolds, from traditional methods to modern industrial
production, in a space that is a tribute to the Nomikos family and the island's
growers, who together contributed decisively to the development of the local
economy and the evolution of Santorini.
If you are lucky enough you may meet people who worked in the factory and come
to share their personal stories with the visitors, as they reminisce about the past
with nostalgia.
At the end of your visit you will have the unique experience of sealing a can in a
machine that was used by the workers of that era and is still in operation, so that
you can feel for a while part of this big family. This can, once you have chosen the
label you want, will be a special souvenir gift from your visit to take with you.
More Than a Century of History
The history of the Nomikos family in tomato production begins in 1915, when
Dimitris Nomikos founded a small workshop in Messaria, Santorini. His business
acumen led him in 1922 to create a state-of-the-art factory in Monolithos, marking
the beginning of modern canning in the Balkans.
In 1945, his son, Giorgos Nomikos, takes over and expands production with a new
factory in Vlychada, in the heart of the island's tomato crops. The self-sufficient
business, incorporates a canning unit for the production of the necessary packaging.
Despite the difficulties, such as the great earthquake of 1956, the company not only
survives but also expands to Kos. In 1971, now known as D. Nomikos A.E.&, makes
its first exports and inaugurates a new factory in Aliartos, Boeotia.
The rise of tourism in Santorini in the 1980s makes local tomato cultivation
unprofitable. Thus, in 1981, the factory in Vlychada closes, while the company
focuses on mainland Greece with a state-of-the-art factory in Domokos, Fthiotida,
which, together with that of Aliartos, surpasses the older unit in efficiency.
D. Nomikos A.E. continues its development course, inaugurating a new factory in
Farsala in 2017, consolidating its position as a leading force in the tomato processing
industry.
The Spaces
Santorini Arts Factory
A Multi-Space of Art, Culture and Entertainment
The D. Nomikos Industrial Tomato Museum is also an “Arts Factory”. A multi-space of
culture that offers a complete experience to the visitor. In addition to the permanent
exhibition, the museum has rooms and spaces that can host conferences, events,
educational programs, cooking classes, performances, music festivals and much
more.
Don't be surprised if during your visit you witness the preparation of the wonderful
courtyard for a social event or the setup of an art exhibition in the large warehouse
with the characteristic T-shaped floor plan.
In fact, many art exhibitions and cultural events are held in the factory premises as
part of the Santorini Art Factory, which is the artistic side of the museum and plays
an important role in the cultural events of Santorini but also of the wider region of
South Aegean.
The people of the museum love to create new experiences that connect visitors with
the space so don't hesitate to contact them for any ideas you may have.
In the museum area you will also find the bar which offers everything you need to
relax after your tour, as well as the thematic tomato tasting dish which is also the
trademark. Enjoy it with a Bloody Mary cocktail, putting a positive spin on it after
your tour of the Industrial Tomato Museum D. Nomikos.The space that is going to surprise you pleasantly, is the museum shop which reallyoffers a lot of choices in gifts, souvenirs but also items of everyday use. You willdefinitely not be able to leave empty-handed!
culture
The Museum Shop
In the shop you can find modern decorative items and utilities that impart special character and style for your office and home, books for all ages but also educational toys
for our little friends, to combine education and entertainment.
In addition to its own brand series, the shop hosts creations by Greek artists, with themes that originate from all over Greece and attach an artistic mood to your daily life.
Our Location
Santorini Arts Factory
Vlychada, Santorini
Tel: +30 2286085141
The Importance of the Museum for Santorini
The Industrial Tomato Museum D. Nomikos is an important part of Santorini's
cultural heritage. It highlights the history of the island and its people, keeping alive
the memory of local production from the unique Santorini cherry tomato. It is a
connection between the past and the present, highlighting the evolution of Santorini
from a rural place to a cosmopolitan destination.
The museum, as a pole of attraction for Greek and foreign visitors, contributes to the
promotion of the island and its economic development. In addition, it is an
important educational center, offering visitors the opportunity to learn about the
history, culture and gastronomy of Santorini, while through its educational
programs, the museum reaches a wide audience, from school students to students
and researchers.