Greece has long excelled in beekeeping, crafting antioxidant-rich golden nectar since antiquity. Bees and honey hold a revered place in Greek culture, partly due to mythology.
The Olympian gods were believed to consume ambrosia, a divine mixture of nectar, honey, and milk, which granted them immortality. Bees were once considered sacred nymphs, one of whom, the nymph Melissa, famously nourished the infant Zeus with honey.
There’s an ancient tale about Democritus, the philosopher known for his materialist views, who cleverly postponed his death using honey. Having reached old age, he decided it was time to pass on and stopped eating to hasten his demise. However, festivities intervened. To avoid casting a shadow over the celebrations, he had a large bowl of honey placed before him. By simply inhaling its sweet fragrance, he extended his life for a few more days, passing away peacefully at 107 years old, right after the holiday revelries.
The ancient Greek physician Avicenna recommended that individuals over 45 consume honey with walnuts before meals daily.
In a quaint village called Pastida stands the country’s sole museum dedicated to the age-old tradition of beekeeping. Established by the renowned Melissokomiki Dodecanesou, a major honey and bee product producer in the Dodecanese archipelago, the museum showcases their certified quality products also available in most Greek stores.
A visit to this location promises to be memorable for both adults and children. It’s a place of discovery, where visitors can observe bees in action, gathering honey.
The museum offers insights into:
The museum has established a unique area where visitors can marvel at the meticulous work of bees. Several hives are installed within a glass-enclosed section, ensuring separation from the rest of the space. Bees can freely exit through wall passages to a garden cultivated on museum grounds. This garden, home to native flowers and herbs, is a haven for bees to pollinate. Each plant is marked with a label in both Greek and English. Children are especially drawn to this section, often spending hours watching the insects' activities.
At this unique attraction, visitors can:
· Taste a variety of honeys and honey-based liqueurs.
· Shop for sweet treats including almond or pistachio baklava, grape, strawberry, lemon, and almond Turkish delights, Rhodes' traditional melakouni with orange, sesame, and almonds, loukoumades, fruit pastes, nougat, and other candies. The venue is popular among Greeks for bulk purchases for events like weddings and anniversaries.
The museum is situated near Pastida village, 2 kilometers from Diagoras Airport, along the Tsairi-Airport road. You can reach it by hailing a taxi for around 20 EUR or driving a rental car.
