MUSÉE INDUSTRIEL DE LA TOMATE

This museum (Βιομηχανικό Μουσείο Τομάτας/Viomichaniko Mousio Tomatas, Tomato Industrial Museum) is dedicated to the Santorini tomato, a variety protected by a PDO since 2006 under the name Tomataki Santorinis. It is located in Vlychada, on the southern tip of the island, in a former factory belonging to the Nomikos group, Greece's largest tomato processing company, founded in Santorini in 1915 and now based in Athens. The factory operated from 1945 to 1981 and was converted into a museum in 2014. Admission is quite expensive. But the tour is well designed: augmented reality tour, quality French audio guide, tasting and workshop to produce your own tin with personalized label. With the exception of a tall brick chimney, the building reflects typical Santorini architecture, with two long stone buildings with vaulted roofs. It houses machinery, some dating from the late 19th century, used to can whole tomatoes and "Santorini caviar" (tomato paste). And it traces the history of the tomato in general, from the Aztecs in Mexico, and that of Santorini in particular.

Cultural center, cocktails and beach. The first seeds were brought from Egypt by Catholic monks from Syros in 1818, and large-scale cultivation began in the 1870s. Because of the volcanic soil, Tomataki Santorinis cannot reproduce on its own. But thanks to the high sodium content, it has developed a strong hygroscopic capacity: it is better able to retain moisture from the air, whether dew or sea spray. This is what gives this small, sweet variety its distinctive taste and concentrated aroma. The museum doubles as a cultural center, the SAF (Santorini Arts Factory): contemporary art exhibitions, concerts, the Santorini Film Festival in July (program on the website)... Another attraction is the museum café-bar. Here you can enjoy a coffee, a beer or a tomato juice, taste cheese with tomato jam or sip a cocktail... with tomato! Right next door is the beach and marina of Vlychada: a long stretch of black sand bordered by white cliffs sculpted by wind and erosion, then a small artificial port with tavernas and agencies offering boat rentals and excursions.