The original house of Emmanouil Benakis, who died in 1929, is now hosting the homonymous museum. The building is a neoclassical one between Vasilissis Sofias Av and Koubari Str. and after a big extension, it is now a complete cultural institution with a library, rooms for temporary exhibitions and events and a lovely café.
Antiquities collection
Paleolithic and Neolithic finds from Greece and Cyprus, axes, ceramics and figurines is some of the items you will find.
From the Cycladic , the Mycenaean and the Minoan civilizations some excellent samples of pottery and metalwork.
You can also find objects from Attica, Boeotia and Corinth and sculptures from Attica, Naxos and Cyprus from the Classical Period.
Items from the Roman and Hellenistic periods which are the proof of the wealth of these periods.
Byzantine collection
Many items mostly from domestic houses will show you the development of art in the
Byzantine empire.
Terracotta and copper lamps, silver plates, ecclesiastical artifacts ,examples of the first Egyptian Christians , a number of significant paintings, famous post byzantine icons many of which are signed by famous artists like Ritzos, Lombardos and Theotokopoulos.
Modern Times Collection
A great collection that reveals the material culture of
Greece during Ottoman rule , decorative or practical objects from the 15
th to the 19
th century.
You will have the chance to see some of the most beautiful wooden painted and sculpted items, ceramics with rare decorations, textiles, traditional costumes and a very important jewellery collection.
Coptic Art Collection
A magnificent group of textiles. Recently via the European program Tissus they were exposed internationally when specialists from all over the world had access to them .
Egyptian products such as articles of metalwork, bronze vessels, lamps and jugs decorated all at your disposal to admire.
You can visit the museum every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 09:00 – 17:00 and every Sunday 09:00 – 15:00 and the ticket costs 6€ per person.