paintings from leading 19th and 20th century Greek artists. The recently renovated neoclassical building has a long history of identities. It was abandoned until 1854 and later housed a silk processing plant, a shopping and residential complex, and the headquarters of the Hellenic Police. Of special interest are the drawings of German architect Ernst Ziller; the so-called father of neoclassical design in modern Greece.
The ÒGeorge Economou CollectionÓ. An exhibition focussing on surrealism, the School of Paris, art of the first post-war decade, Neo-Fauves as well as prints from the collection. The adjacent Avdi sq. is ideal for a quiet coffee and a newspaper read in the morning. Leonidou & Mylerou, Metaxourgio (+30) 210 3243023 Tue 10:00 21:00/ Wed-Sat 10:00-19:00/ Sun 10:00-17:00/Closed Mon € Free admission (Guided tour every Mon) – www.nationalgallery.gr
Islamic Art Museum (Map I5
A
Thissio)
three storey neoclassical building with collections dedicated to the evolution of Islamic art in relation to the historic development of Islamic civilisation. Its fine collections come from the Middle East, the Far East and North Africa. Located at Kerameikos district the Islamic Art Museum offers a break from Classical Athens, temples and amphorae. However, it includes a section of the ancient city wall of Athens and an ancient tomb both uncovered at the level of the houses’ foundations during the preservation works. Don’t leave without a glimpse at the view from its terrace café. Ag. Asomaton 22 & Dipilou 12, Thissio (+30) 210 3251311
Thu-Fri-Sat-Sun 09:00-17:00/ Wed 09:00-21:00/ Closed Mon-Tue Admission fee: œ7 Concessions: œ5 – www.benaki.gr
€
MISCELLANEOUS Ilias Lalaounis - Jewellery Museum (Map O7
A
Akropoli)
thens born and bred Ilias Lalaounis is the country’s most internationally renowned artist and jeweller. His museum is a private non-profit organisation devoted to the historical development of the art of jewellery. Its main edifice was the original workshop of Ilias Lalounis Company. The 4,000 pieces of the permanent collection will dazzle you. Kids, though, are more likely to get stuck at the authentic jewellery workshop where one can see the house goldsmiths in action sharing tips on ancient goldsmithery techniques. Big spenders usually head straight to the shop for 24K gifts. If you are frugal there are mugs and T-shirts with the museum’s logo. Karyatidon & Kalisperi 12, Plaka
(+30) 210 9221044 Wed-Thu-Fri-Sat 09:00-15:00/ Sun 11:00-16:00/ Closed Mon - Tue € Admission fee: œ5 € Concessions: œ4 for students, senior citizens and groups – www.lalaounis-jewelrymuseum.gr
Zoom, scroll & click Athens Museums with the Google Art Project See a virtual preview of three Athens museums before arriving in Greece. The Acropolis, the Benaki and the Museum of Cycladic Art are the latest additions to the Google Art project. A project that offers a virtual and online presentation of hundreds of museum exhibits from around the world. The three Greek museums participate in the Project with 693 exhibits. Just type www.googleartproject.com 28 _ CITY GUIDE summer 2013
Industrial Gas Museum
Melina Cultural Centre
A
(Map K2
Kerameikos)
museum named after the late actress and Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri who heralded the campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles presently in the British Museum. The old stone millinery of Poulopoulos is a hidden gem of a typical early 20th century Athenian neighborhood. It houses replicas of neoclassical buildings, a traditional barbershop, shop windows with original products of the time and the interior decoration of a bourgeois house. The cultural centre regularly houses periodic arts exhibitions. Heraklidon 16 & Thessalonikis, Gazi (+30) 210 3452150
Weekdays 10:00-20:00/ Sun 10:00-14:00/ Closed Mon – www.melinamercourifoundation.org.gr
Museum of Greek Folk Art
A
(Map M10
€
Free admission
Akropoli)
treasure trove of Greek folk embroidery, weaving, traditional costumes and household items. The highlight is on the first floor: a reconstructed room from a house on the island of Lesvos with a series of murals by the folk artist Theofilos. For pompom shoe (tsarouchia) aficionados, this museum is a paradise. Kydathineon 17, Plaka (+30)
210 3229031 Tue-Sun: 08:00-15:00/ Closed Mon € Admission fee: œ2 Concessions: œ1 students from non-E.U. countries, senior citizens from E.U. Free admission: Persons under 19, EU students, classical studies and Art students – www.melt.gr
Railway Museum of Athens
A
museum off the beaten track of Athens city centre. A real haven for the railway aficionados run by former em-