Museum of Modern Greek Culture

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1918 under the name “Mouseion Ellinikon Cheirotechnimaton”, with the aim of bridging the gap between the Fall of Constantinople and the founding of the modern Greek state. Its founding figure was the poet Georgios Drosinis, and its first director was the painter Konstantinos Maleas. It was housed in the Tzisdaraki Mosque (1759) in Monastiraki. Later it became known as the Museum of Greek Folk Art, and today as the Museum of Modern Greek Culture.

The museum is located in Monastiraki, in a block of buildings bounded by Adrianou, Areos, Kladou and Vrysakiou streets. The complex, with buildings from the 18th to the 20th century, houses the new permanent exhibition at 10 Areos Street, the Tzisdaraki Mosque, the Loutro ton Aeredon in Plaka and the building at 22 Panos Street with the exhibition “Anthropoi kai Ergaleia” (People and Tools). The central building at 17 Kydathinaion Street has been permanently closed to the public since 1 January 2015.

The permanent exhibition presents aspects of modern Greek culture from the 19th century to today through testimonies of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. It comprises about 3,000 objects, digital exhibits and rich visual material, and there are an open-air theatre, a refreshment kiosk and a shop.

Highlights

• New permanent exhibition with about 3,000 objects
• Loutro ton Aeredon in Plaka
• Tzisdaraki Mosque in Monastiraki
• Exhibition “Anthropoi kai Ergaleia” (People and Tools) at 22 Panos Street
• Evening visits to the historic neighbourhood

Permanent exhibitions

• Νέα μόνιμη έκθεση – Aspects of modern Greek culture from the 19th century to today, with around 3,000 objects and digital exhibits.
• Άνθρωποι και Εργαλεία – Aspects of work in pre-industrial society, in the building at 22 Panos Street.
• Λουτρό των Αέρηδων – The historic bath in Plaka, with a tour app about the building and its past life.

Founded

1918

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, and every first and third Sunday of the month from 1 November to 31 March.

The categories for free and reduced admission are set by the Ministry of Culture.

Accessibility

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

The new exhibition is described as fully accessible for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The exhibition has family corners and a leaflet for families; educational programmes are available.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Refreshment kiosk and shop, open-air theatre and rest areas.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit