Maria Callas Museum

About the museum

The Maria Callas Museum is the first museum in the world dedicated to the great soprano and the only one in Athens devoted to her life and art. It belongs to the category of biographical museums and museums of the performing arts. The collection of the Municipality of Athens began in 2000, when the municipality acquired the first objects at an international auction in Paris, and it was later enriched by donations and loans.

The decision to create the museum was taken in 2011. In 2021 the Municipality of Athens assigned the building at 44 Mitropoleos Street, a 20th-century neoclassical building in the centre of Athens, for this purpose, and the Technopolis City of Athens took charge of the project. The museum was inaugurated in 2023.

The collection numbers more than 1,000 items, including Callas’s personal photo album (1947–1959), costumes from performances, clothing, letters, posters, programmes, telegrams, personal belongings, records and paintings. The permanent exhibition combines audio and historical items, new technologies and multimedia, and aims to illuminate Callas’s art and personality beyond the myths. The museum also houses a café, a shop and an event space with a view of the Acropolis.

Highlights

• The first museum in the world for Maria Callas, with more than 1,000 items
• Personal photo album (1947–1959), performance costumes and letters
• Audio items, new technologies and multimedia in the permanent exhibition
• Themed, interactive and experiential guided tours
• La Divina café on the ground floor, open without a museum ticket

Permanent exhibition

• Μόνιμη έκθεση του Μουσείου Μαρία Κάλλας – The exhibition presents the life and artistic career of Maria Callas with costumes, photographs, letters and audio items, highlighting her art and personality beyond the myths.

Founded

2023

Operated by

Δήμος Αθηναίων

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 2 December (Maria Callas’s birthday) and 18 May (International Museum Day).

Free admission is also granted to ICOM members, refugees, sponsors, donors, journalists and guides. For reduced and free admission, the relevant proof must be shown at the ticket office.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Wheelchair access is via the entrance at 28 Petraki Street, through a metal ramp. On the intermediate floor, where tickets are issued, there is an electric platform lift (0.75 × 0.70 m, lifting capacity 250 kg), while a lift serves the other areas. The museum has a manual wheelchair and an accessible toilet on the ground floor.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The MCM Kids programme includes 60-minute family workshops for children aged 3–12 with an accompanying adult (up to 20 children), and programmes for babies and toddlers from 8 months to 2.5 years. The museum also organises seasonal camps for children and school visits.

Getting there & parking

The building has entrances at 44 Mitropoleos Street and 28 Petraki Street.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The La Divina café on the ground floor, with entrances from 44 Mitropoleos Street and 28 Petraki Street, requires no reservations and no museum ticket. The shop sells items inspired by Maria Callas.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The event space on the 3rd floor, 100 m² with a view of the Acropolis, is available for corporate events, conferences, seminars, book presentations, theatrical and musical events and film shoots. The café can also be hired outside opening hours for private events. Information: info@mariacallasmuseum.gr, 210 440 4204.

Plan your visit