The Benaki Museum of Greek Culture in Athens

Eager to dive into Greek culture? Make your way to Athens’ Benaki Museum, an essential stop for any history enthusiast visiting the Greek capital.

Follow the guide!

A Brief Introduction to the Benaki Museum

The History of the Benaki Museum

The Benaki Museum’s origins can be traced back to the founder Antonis Benakis and his deep passion for Greek art and culture. Born in 1873 in Alexandria, Egypt, to a Greek family, Antonis developed a fascination with collecting art and historical artifacts from a young age. His wealthy and educated family was renowned for their significant contributions to Greece’s cultural and political landscape.

After the First World War, Antonis decided to relocate to Greece. In 1926, he acquired a magnificent neoclassical building in the heart of Athens, which had formerly been the French ambassador’s residence. Constructed in 1867 and designed by architect Stamatios Kleanthis, this building would later become the site of the museum.

Antonis Benakis devoted his life to amassing a collection of art and historical items, aiming to establish a museum that celebrated Greek culture. In 1929, he gifted his collection to the Greek state, and the Benaki Museum welcomed the public in 1930.

As time passed, the museum’s collections grew and diversified through a variety of acquisitions, donations, and bequests. In 2000, the Benaki Museum was fully renovated and expanded, introducing new exhibit spaces to display its collections in a contemporary and educational way.

Today, the Benaki Museum stands as one of Greece’s most esteemed museums, a testament to its founder’s commitment and appreciation for Greek art and culture. The museum honors the history and development of Greek civilization from its prehistoric beginnings to the present day, featuring an outstanding array of art pieces, manuscripts, sculptures, textiles, and ceramics.

The Benaki Museum at a Glance

Spanning an area of 8,000 square meters (86,111 square feet), the Benaki Museum is home to a collection of more than 40,000 objects that represent the history and progression of Greek culture from prehistoric times up to the present day.

Exploring the Benaki Museum in Athens

The Benaki Museum’s collections are thoughtfully arranged to offer visitors an enriching and comprehensive experience. They are divided into several sections, each focusing on a particular period or theme:

Prehistory and Classical Antiquity:

This section presents artifacts from prehistoric times up to the classical Greek era, including sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and bronze items that illustrate ancient Greece’s artistic and cultural development.

Hellenistic and Roman Periods:

This portion of the museum exhibits objects and artworks from the Hellenistic and Roman ages, emphasizing the Roman influence on Greek culture and the interplay between the two civilizations.

Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art:

This section is dedicated to the Byzantine and post-Byzantine periods, featuring a remarkable collection of icons, manuscripts, mosaics, textiles, and liturgical artifacts that showcase Greece’s rich cultural and religious legacy during this time.

Greek Folk Art:

This area of the museum celebrates Greek folk art, displaying items such as traditional costumes, embroidery, ceramics, and wooden artifacts. This collection offers a glimpse into the traditions and way of life of the Greek people throughout history.

Islamic Art:

The Benaki Museum also boasts a substantial Islamic art collection, highlighting cultural exchanges between Greece and the Islamic world. The exhibited pieces include ceramics, textiles, manuscripts, and metal objects.

Coptic Art:

The Coptic art section presents textiles, icons, and wooden artifacts that demonstrate the impact of Coptic culture in Greece and the Mediterranean region.

Modern and Contemporary Greek Art:

This part of the museum is devoted to modern and contemporary Greek art, showcasing paintings, sculptures, and installations by Greek artists from the 19th century to today.

The Benaki Museum’s collections provide a comprehensive overview of Greek culture’s evolution, emphasizing the various eras and influences that have shaped Greece’s identity.

Practical Information

Getting to the Benaki Museum

The Benaki Museum is situated at 1 Koumbari Street, in the heart of Athens. You can easily reach it via public transportation:

🚇 Metro: The closest stations are Syntagma Station (Lines M2 and M3) and Evangelismos Station (Line M3). From Syntagma Station, it’s about a 10-minute walk northwest along Vasilissis Sofias Street. If you disembark at Evangelismos Station, walk southeast for roughly 15 minutes, also following Vasilissis Sofias Street.

🚌 Bus: A number of bus lines connect to the Benaki Museum. Lines 025, 026, 027, 209, and 227 have stops nearby.

🚶 Walking: If you’re staying in central Athens, the Benaki Museum is within easy walking distance. It’s around a 20-30 minute stroll from Plaka, the Monastiraki neighborhood, and the Acropolis.

Benaki Museum Opening Hours

The Benaki Museum’s hours are:

• Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
• Sundays: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

Benaki Museum Ticket Prices

Admission to the Benaki Museum is:

• €12 for adults
• €9 for students and individuals aged 65 and older
• Free for children under 18 years old

👉 To skip the entrance queue, particularly during the busy season, it’s recommended to buy your ticket online ahead of time: Entry Ticket for the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture.

👉 Avoid waiting in line in Athens: book your tickets and tours in advance!

Credits
Heather Cowper