Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum

About the museum

The Lalaounis Jewelry Museum is the first museum in Greece dedicated to the art of jewellery. It was founded in 1993 as a non-profit cultural organisation and opened to the public in December 1994. It operates as an international centre for jewellery and decorative arts, with an emphasis on silversmithing and goldsmithing and on contemporary art jewellery.

The museum is at the foot of the Acropolis, in two buildings: the family residence of the Lalaounis family of 1927 and the former jewellery workshop of the founder, an apartment block of 1925 that was completely renovated in 1992. The layout of the main space was designed by Bernard Zehrfuss, the architectural plan was prepared and implemented by the architect Vasilis Grigoriadis, and the museological studies were compiled by Ioanna Lalaouni. The family residence has been preserved intact and houses the library and the administration.

The permanent collection focuses on the 50 collections designed and supervised by Ilias Lalaounis from 1957 to 2002. Since 2001 the museum has also collected historical jewellery and decorative arts and enriches its collection with works by contemporary artists from Greece and abroad. Since May 2017, artist workshops have been in operation in the museum, where visitors watch demonstrations of metalworking techniques.

Highlights

• Permanent collection with a selection of 4,500 jewels and miniature sculptures by Ilias Lalaounis
• 50 jewellery collections designed between 1957 and 2002
• Live ZEM and ZEDET workshops with metalworking demonstrations
• New donations and acquisitions of jewellery and decorative arts from the 18th century to the present
• Research library and educational programmes

Permanent exhibitions

• Κληρονομιά Ηλία Λαλαούνη – Six sections present a selection of 4,500 jewels and miniature sculptures created by Ilias Lalaounis from 1957 to 2002, drawing on sources of inspiration from ancient art and nature.
• Νέες δωρεές και αποκτήσεις – The collection is continually enriched with jewellery and decorative arts from the 18th century to the present, with an emphasis on works by international art jewellery designers.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Μουσείο Κοσμήματος Ηλία Λαλαούνη

Admission & discounts

Reduced tickets are sold only at the museum's ticket office. Free admission is also granted to museum sponsors and their guests, archaeologists, teachers, artists, journalists, members of the diplomatic corps, ICOM members and licensed guides.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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 museum supports access for people with disabilities and was the first in Greece to make provision for people with mobility difficulties.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at the junction of Odos Karyatidon and Odos Kallisperi, next to the pedestrian street Dionysiou Areopagitou and one block from the Acropolis Museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi throughout the museum. The museum shop is on the ground floor, and there is a café.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The museum has indoor and outdoor spaces for social and corporate events.

Plan your visit