Center for Folk Art and Tradition «Angeliki Hatzimichali»

The Museum of Greek Folk Art, located in the Plaka district of Athens, is a window into the rich cultural tradition of Greece, reflecting daily life and craft practices that have characterized the country from the 17th to the 20th century. Founded in 1918 as the “Museum of Greek Handicrafts” by Georgios Drosinis, a Greek poet and intellectual, along with a group of Athenian academics, the museum was renamed the “National Museum of Decorative Arts” in 1923 and acquired its current name in 1959. The museum is divided into several locations, each hosting a specific part of the collection. The main building, located at 17 Kydathinaion Street, is the heart of the museum. This five-story building houses administrative offices, educational programs, a library, and conference rooms. The exhibited collection starts on the ground floor with embroidery works, while on the upper floors there are ceramics, metal objects, traditional costumes, and folk paintings. A highlight is the “Theofilos Room,” dedicated to a self-taught painter of the 20th century who decorated a room with murals depicting historical and mythological Greek figures. Another important annex of the museum is the Tzistarakis Mosque, located in Monastiraki Square. Built in 1759 during the Ottoman period, the mosque was restored to house the collection of popular ceramics by Professor V. Kyriazopoulos. This historic building offers a unique insight into the blend of Islamic architecture and Greek craft tradition. The “Bath of the Winds,” located at 8 Kyrristou Street, is the only surviving public bath in Athens. Dating back to the early period of Turkish rule, this bath operated until 1956. It is now an information center dedicated to body hygiene and personal care through the centuries, providing an interesting perspective on cleaning and beauty practices in ancient Greece. The building at 22 Panos Street is another location of the museum, hosting the permanent exhibition “Men and Tools: Aspects of Work in Pre-Industrial Society.” This exhibition offers a fascinating look at manual labor and craft skills that were essential in the daily life of pre-industrial Greeks.