In July 2010, the Archaeological Collection/Visitor Information Centre held its inauguration at Kourounochori, Melanes. The Centre was created within the framework of the project ‘Conservation and promotion of the ancient aqueduct and the Sanctuary of the Springs’ with funding from the 3rd KPS, implemented by the University of Athens and operated by the former 21st EPKA, now the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades. The Collection is housed in the West Hall (of 50 sq.m) in the former Kourounochori primary school. This is a typical school building of the 1950s, built by local craftsmen; it has been granted by the Municipality of Naxos for 99 years to the Ministry of Culture.
Complete and fragmentary marble sculptures and other objects in various states of completeness, marble tiles and ceramics from various phases of the Sanctuary of the Springs at Flerio, characteristic elements from clay pipes of the aqueduct collected here and there from the Kourounochori area, and dedications at the Sanctuary of Flerio have been all organized into a coherent whole. This, thanks to the accompanying computer-aided and visual materials, illuminates the work of craftsmen, aspects of daily life, the economy, social welfare and the cult practices of ancient life on the island of Naxos.
