A Cultural Gem in the Heart of Athens
This is one of the most important museums in Athens and a cultural destination that is definitely worth visiting.
The Establishment and Vision of Antonis Benakis
The Museum was established by benefactor Antonis Benakis (1873-1954) and inaugurated in 1931. Today, it houses over 45,000 exhibits, originating from the founder’s personal collection, as well as from other donors who followed his illustrious example.
The Six Unique Collections of the Museum
The invaluable exhibits are distributed across six core collections, each of which offers a unique journey through time and culture.
Periodic Exhibitions and Initiatives
The Benaki Museum periodically organises and hosts important temporary exhibitions, both in its main building and in its other branches, constantly offering new reasons for a visit.
The Establishment and Vision of Antonis Benakis
The Museum was established by benefactor Antonis Benakis (1873-1954) and inaugurated in 1931. Today, it houses over 45,000 exhibits, originating from the founder’s personal collection, as well as from other donors who followed his illustrious example.
The Six Unique Collections of the Museum
The invaluable exhibits are distributed across six core collections, each of which offers a unique journey through time and culture.
- Greece at the Benaki Museum: This section comprises numerous categories, encompassing over 33,000 works. These exhibits document the character of the Greek world, from antiquity to the formation of the modern Greek state and the Asia Minor Catastrophe of 1922.
- The Ghika Gallery: The gallery was donated by the great Greek painter Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas and operates as a branch of the Museum. It is located in the building where the artist lived for 40 years (at 3, Kriezotou Street) and showcases works from all areas of his activity.
- Childhood, Toys and Games: This collection includes 15,000 antique toys and childhood items. The exhibits originate from Greece and the wider region of Hellenism —from antiquity to 1970— as well as from Europe, America, Africa, and countries of the East.
- Coptic Art: A rich collection of textiles, metalwork, and wood carvings, representing the productive sectors of Egypt during the 5th and 6th centuries.
- Chinese Art: The collection comprises over 1,300 exhibits (most of which were donated by G. Evmorfopoulos), depicting the Chinese culture from the 3rd millennium BC to the 19th century. Among them are vessels, funerary figurines, porcelain, miniatures, and semi-precious stones.
- Museum of Islamic Art: The Museum is housed in an impressive neoclassical complex dating back to the early 20th century, comprising two residential buildings in the Kerameikos district. Its collection is among the most important worldwide, including over 8,000 exhibits from Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Persia, and India, covering the evolution of Islamic art from the pre-Islamic period to the 19th century.
Periodic Exhibitions and Initiatives
The Benaki Museum periodically organises and hosts important temporary exhibitions, both in its main building and in its other branches, constantly offering new reasons for a visit.
