Tactual Museum

About the museum

The Tactual Museum was founded in 1984 on the initiative of the Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece (Faros Typhlon tis Ellados), with the aim of giving people with visual impairments equal access to ancient Greek culture. It is housed in a two-storey neoclassical building in Kallithea, a donation from Georgios and Evgenia Emperikos, and is one of five museums of its kind in the world. In 1988 it was honoured with the commendation of the European Museum of the Year.

In 1999 the earthquake caused serious damage to the building and the museum closed. Restoration was completed in January 2004, and the renovated museum reopened on 9 March 2004. Since then it has also been open to the wider public. In the same year it was honoured for its accessibility by the Association of Friends of Museums. New repairs in 2016 allowed it to reopen after an interruption.

The halls house statues, vessels, sculptures and useful objects that are faithful copies of originals from museums in Greece and abroad, from the Neolithic and Cycladic periods to the Roman era, as well as models, coins and a Byzantine collection. All exhibits can be touched and are accompanied by signs in ordinary print, in enlarged letters and in Braille. The museum also presents works by the blind sculptor Petros Roukoutakis and by artists with visual impairments.

Highlights

• Exhibits to touch: copies of ancient statues, vessels and sculptures
• Collections from the Neolithic to the Roman period, including Cycladic, Minoan and Classical art
• Signs in ordinary print, enlarged print and Braille
• Automated guided tour in Greek and English
• Collection of works by the sculptor Petros Roukoutakis and by artists with visual impairments

Permanent exhibition

• Μόνιμη έκθεση: Αντίγραφα αρχαίων έργων για την αφή – Copies of statues, vessels, sculptures, models and coins from the Neolithic to the Roman period, plus a Byzantine collection and works by artists with visual impairments.

Founded

1984

Operated by

Φάρος Τυφλών της Ελλάδος

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 15 October (World White Cane Day) and 18 May (International Museum Day)

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

Ramp at the entrance and a stairlift to the floors, toilet for people with mobility impairments. Guide dogs are admitted free of charge. Tactile floor plans at the entrance, a self-guided navigation app with audio descriptions of the exhibits, and information material in enlarged print and Braille.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

All exhibits may be touched. The museum has programmes for school groups and for families with children.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the building of the Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece in Kallithea. Information is available at the entrance of the main building, 17 Athinas Street.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop on the ground floor with themed items and handmade creations by the workshops of the Lighthouse for the Blind.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit