Museum of Pavlos and Alessandra Kanellopoulou

The Pavlos and Alexandra Kanellopoulou Museum, located on the picturesque Theorias street at the foot of the Acropolis of Athens, is a hidden gem that houses an extraordinary collection of antiquities and artworks. Founded in 1976, the museum is the result of the generosity of Pavlos and Alexandra Kanellopoulou, who donated their private collection to the Greek state. This collection includes approximately 6,500 objects spanning a time period of about 6,000 years, from prehistory to the 19th century. The museum’s history is closely linked to the Kanellopoulou’s passion for art and history. The collection was started by Pavlos in the 1920s and quickly grew to become one of the most significant private collections of Greek art. In 1972, the collection was donated to the Greek state with the intention of making it accessible to the public, and four years later the museum was inaugurated. The museum’s collection is exceptionally diverse, including artifacts ranging from the Neolithic period to the Byzantine and post-Byzantine eras. Among the oldest pieces are clay figurines dating back to 5000-4400 BC, while among the more recent ones are works from the 18th and 19th centuries. Particularly notable are the black-figure and red-figure ceramics from the Archaic and Classical periods, depicting mythological scenes and everyday life, and a vast collection of white-ground Attic lekythoi, used for funerary purposes. One of the most fascinating aspects of the museum is its collection of Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons, including works by great masters of the Cretan School such as Nicolaos Tzafouris and Michael Damaskenos. These icons, which combine elements of the Byzantine tradition with influences from the European Renaissance, are among the most precious pieces in the collection and offer a unique insight into the evolution of Greek sacred art. The museum is housed in the neoclassical residence of the Michalea family, built in 1864 and located on the northern slope of the Acropolis. This historic building, purchased by the Greek state in the 1960s and 1970s and subsequently restored, provides a fascinating backdrop for the exhibition of the collection. The structure itself is a remarkable example of Athenian neoclassical architecture, adding further value to the museum visit. The museum’s library and research center are invaluable resources for scholars and researchers. The library houses a rich collection of rare books, manuscripts, and periodicals covering various aspects of Greek art and archaeology. The museum’s archives preserve a vast collection of documents, photographs, and ephemera related to the museum’s history and collection, offering valuable information for academic research. The museum also has a well-stocked shop offering a wide range of products inspired by the collection, including replicas of antiquities, books, and contemporary artworks. The shop’s proceeds support the museum’s activities, contributing to the preservation and promotion of Greek cultural heritage.