Athens University Museum
University museum in Plaka, in the building that housed the first university of independent Greece (1837–1841).
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museum of the History of the University of Athens is housed in the Kleanthis House, also known as the “Old University”, in Plaka. The building is one of the few surviving from the pre-Othonian period and housed the first university of independent Greece (1837–1841), the first in the Balkan peninsula.
The museum has operated since 1987, when it was inaugurated as part of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the founding of the University of Athens, on the initiative of Rector Michalis Stathopoulos. It addresses not only the academic community but also the wider public.
The permanent exhibition extends over the first and second floors and follows the first faculties of the university thematically: Medicine, Law, Philosophy and Theology. It displays portraits of professors, teaching textbooks, photographs, rare scientific instruments, the first student enrolment register, the first seals of the faculties and the university’s banner of 1887, a work by Nikolaos Gyzis. The collections also include manuscripts, letters, diplomas, medals and instruments of medicine, physics, chemistry and pharmacology.
Highlights
- Building of the first university of independent Greece (1837–1841)
- Banner of the University of Athens (1887) by Nikolaos Gyzis
- The first student enrolment register and the first faculty seals
- Rare scientific instruments of medicine, physics, chemistry and pharmacology
- Portraits of professors and teaching textbooks of the period
Permanent exhibition
- Μόνιμη έκθεση του Μουσείου Ιστορίας – The exhibition on the first and second floors presents the history of the university’s first faculties through portraits, textbooks, scientific instruments and historical documents.
- Founded
- 1987
- Operated by
- Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1children and young people aged 6–18 |
| Children & teens | €1free up to age 5 · Children and young people aged 6–18. Free admission for children up to 5 years from outside the European Union and for young people up to 25 years from European Union countries. |
Free admission for members of the academic community of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), for children and young people up to 25 years from European Union member states (upon presentation of police ID or passport), for children up to 5 years from outside the EU, and for holders of an unemployment card.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
From the Aerides (Tower of the Winds) at the end of Aiolou Street, the route to the Acropolis follows Markou Avreliou Street, and the steps of Alimperti lead to the main entrance at 5 Tholou Street. Alternatively, from the pedestrian street of Dionysiou Areopagitou, via Theorias Street and the steps of Klepsydras, you reach the side entrance.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Educational programmes and guided tours are available on request by calling 210 368 9502–6. |
