Museum of Modern Greek Culture in Athens

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Updated: August 22, 2022
By Santorini Dave

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Three glass display cases with elements of traditional Greek costume inside

The Museum of Modern Greek Culture’s temporary location will play host to a series of exhibits until renovations are completed in its permanent location (slated for 2023).

Tickets: Free Admission.

While awaiting the move to a newly-renovated permanent location, the temporary exhibition site for the Museum of Modern Greek Culture in Athens, opened in June 2022, is located at 9 Kladou Street, about 200 meters south of Monastiraki square.

Founded in 1918, The Museum of Modern Greek Culture has changed names and locations over the years. The original location at 17 Kydathinaion Street permanently closed in 2015; since then, work has been underway to house the museum at what will be its permanent location on 10 Areos Street, just off Monastiraki Square and opposite the archeological site of Hadrian’s Library. When completed, it will house a permanent collection of 25,000 objects dating from the mid 18th century to the 1970’s.

The temporary building is a beautiful two-level old mansion with a gorgeous view of the Acropolis from the upper level stairway. At the time of our visit (June 2022), it is hosting an exhibition called “The Bread We Break: Heroes and Symbols of 1821,” celebrating the 200-year anniversary of the 1821 Greek Revolution against the Ottoman Empire. Objects on display include paintings from Yiannis Adamakis, poems from Michalis Ganas, figures of heroes, embroidery, weapons, votive offerings, and traditional Greek garments like the foustanella and tsarouchia (still worn today by the evzones or parliament building guards). These, along with various other artifacts, illustrate the impact of the revolution on Greece and how it has shaped contemporary Greek collective memory and perception. This location will host a series of temporary exhibits until its permanent location is open; the culture minister of Greece has projected the completion date to be the end of 2023.

Other exhibition buildings that are part of the Museum of Modern Greek Culture are: the Bathhouse of the Winds, the House on 22 Panos Street “Man and Tools” Museum, the Museum of Greek Folk Music Instruments, and the Tzisdarakis Mosque (temporarily closed, but will eventually house the Museums of Greek Folk Art and Greek Folk Music Instruments).

Museum of Modern Greek Culture Hours and Information

  • Hours: Wednesday to Monday 8:30am-3:30pm. Closed Tuesdays. The museum is closed on January 1, Orthodox Easter Sunday, May 1, and December 25 & 26.
  • Website: mnep.gr
  • Location: Kladou 9 (Temporary Exhibition Space)
  • Telephone: +30 21 0324 9698
  • Admission Fee: FREE
  • Parking: Street parking, nearby pay lots.
  • Nearest Metro: Monastiraki

Athens Museum of Modern Greek Culture

Peach colored neoclassical building with blue doors and shutters

The temporary exhibition space of the Museum of Modern Greek Culture is located at 9 Kladou Street, between the archaeological sites of Hadrian’s Library and the Ancient Agora.

Light blue exterior staircase along a peach-colored naeclassical building

Items are displayed over two floors in a lovely old mansion with great Acropolis views.

Colorful painting of traditional Greek figures

Traditional Greek military costume displayed on a mannequin in a glass case

Detail of traditional Greek military costume, with explanatory signage

Mannequin dressed in traditional Greek costume, displayed alongside a decorative cloth

Colorful oil paintings depicting traditional Greek figures

Historical items on display in a museum case

Museum display case displaying traditional weapons and metal items

Decorative metal items displayed in a museum case

Museum display cases next to oil paintings displayed on a gallery wall

Small oil paintings depicting portraits of Greek historical figures, displayed on a gallery wall

Beautiful view of the Athens Acropolis from a second floor balcony.

Beautiful view of the Acropolis from the upper floor stairway.

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About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave Author Bio. Santorini Dave was started in 2011 by a guy who loved Greece, travel, and great hotels. We're now a small team of writers and researchers on a mission to deliver the most helpful travel content on the internet. We specialize in Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece and recommend the best hotels, best neighborhoods, and best family hotels in top destinations around the world. We also make hotel maps and travel videos. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.