Benaki Museum

The Benaki Museum was established in 1930 and bears the name of Emmanuel Benakis, a Greek businessman, politician and public figure. The museum is based on the private art collection of his son Antonis Benakis.

Antonis Benakis was fond of Greek, Persian, Egyptian and Turkish art since childhood and collected a magnificent collection, which he presented to the state, placing the exposition in his own house - an elegant neoclassical mansion built in the late XIX century by architect A. Metaxas. The museum is still there today.

The museum specializes in Greek art from the prehistoric period to the present – the collection includes handicrafts, utensils, jewelry, costumes, icons, etc. The museum also has an extensive collection of Asian art. Collections of Islamic art, Chinese porcelain and toys were even set aside as separate museum institutions in the early 2000s.

The museum also holds interesting temporary exhibitions, has its own restoration and conservation workshops.

Today, the Benaki Museum is one of the most popular and frequently visited museums in the Greek capital.