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Yiannis Gaitis Gallery on Ios

On the page about Homer's tomb, I wrote a little about financial support from the EU. Another example of EU' generosity is the construction of a colossal art gallery on a hill above Chora. Nearby is the Odysseas Elytis amphitheater, which should also be seen, not least for the fantastic view of Mylopotas beach.

Gallery Yiannis Gaitis above Chora on Ios.

Gallery Yiannis Gaitis above Chora.

I do not know exactly when the gallery was started to be built, but I know it's unfinished, and I think I know that it will never be completed. The gallery - consisting of two buildings - was intended to host paintings by the Greek artist Yannis Gaitis (1923-1984) who periodically lived on Ios. It is said that he lived in what I call Bob Dylan's house, which you can read about here. Yannis Gaitis is known for his repeated patterns of anonymous men. The buildings themselves are finished, but the interior is empty and contentless.

Gallery Yiannis Gaitis. Chora in the background.

Gallery Yannis Gaitis on Ios island in the Cyclades.

The entrance to the closed gallery.

Is the art gallery worth seeing? Well, the view is formidable, and the sunset is fantastic. The cost to build the art gallery was 4,050,000 €. The EU paid 75% of that sum. The contract went to a local builder, who certainly laughed all the way to the bank.

The artist Yannis Gaitis from Ios is known for his sculptures of anonymous men with hats.

One of many anonymous men in hats that Yannis Gaitis was known for.

Nearby is an amphitheater called Odysseas Elytis, after the Greek poet who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1979. The ancient Greek-style marble theater opened in 1997 and can hold an audience of more than 1,000 people. Concerts and theater performances are held here between May and September. Even if there is no performance, the theater is well worth a visit, not least for the fabulous view of Mylopotas beach.

Amphitheater Odysseas Elytis and Gallery Yannis Gaitis in Chora on Ios.