Benaki Toy Museum

The Benaki Toy Museum, located in the picturesque neighborhood of Palaio Faliro in Athens, is an extraordinary institution dedicated to the world of childhood and play. Inaugurated in 2017, this museum is part of the prestigious Benaki family of museums and houses one of the most important and complete toy collections in the world, the result of a donation from Maria Argyriadi. The museum is located in a fairytale building constructed between 1897 and 1900 by the industrialist Spyridon Despozitos. This building has been carefully restored to accommodate the toy collection, transforming into a magical space where visitors can explore the history of play and childhood through the centuries. The Benaki Toy Museum collection includes approximately 20,000 objects, including toys, games, children’s books, clothing, and other items related to childhood, not only from Greece and the Greek world, but also from Europe, America, Africa, and Asia. This wide range of objects covers a time span from antiquity to the 1970s, offering a comprehensive and fascinating overview of the evolution of toys and children’s play habits. The museum’s European collection is equally rich and diverse, including dolls and games from urban and rural production dating from the 17th to the 20th century, mainly from England, France, and Germany. Additionally, a selection of European regional dolls from the 19th and 20th centuries are dressed in traditional costumes from various regions of Greece, offering a fascinating glimpse into the continent’s cultural diversity. The museum not only displays toys and games, but also seeks to contextualize them within their respective cultures. Detailed captions and explanations provided alongside the objects help visitors understand the historical and cultural significance of each piece. The exhibitions are organized chronologically and thematically, offering an immersive journey through the ages and continents. The museum’s specialized library, open to all interested parties, includes approximately 3,000 books and studies related to children and toys. This valuable resource supports research and education, offering a wide range of materials for scholars, students, and enthusiasts in the field. An interesting anecdote concerns Maria Argyriadi, the collector whose donation forms the core of the museum. Argyriadi began collecting toys during her travels around the world, driven by the desire to preserve these objects and share with the public the joy and wonder they represent. Her vision and commitment have enabled the creation of a museum that celebrates not only the history of play, but also the importance of play in the lives of children of all ages and cultures.