1 Agorá
2 Akrópoli (Acropolis)
3 Ethnikó Archaiologikó Mouseío (National Archeological Museum)
4 Kéntro Meletón Akropóleos (Acropolis Study Centre)
5 Lykavittós (Lykabettos Hill)
6 Mouseío Ellinikís Laografias (Museum of Greek Folk Art)
7 Mouseío Ellinikón Mousikon Orgánon (Museum of Greek Musical Instruments)
8 Mouseío Kykladikís kai Archaías Ellinikís Téchnis (Museum of Cycladic Art)
9 Pláka
10 Stádio (Olympic Stadium)
This specialist museum in a handsome Pláka mansion is a must, whether you have a passion for, or merely a passing interest in, Greek music.
The mansion was built in 1842, and outside is a pleasant courtyard in which occasional concerts are held in the summer. Off the courtyard is the museum's shop, with an extensive collection of recordings and books on Greek music for sale. The interior of the mansion has been renovated to create three floors of display space devoted to the subject of Greek musical instruments. This is only part of the collection of over 1,200 instruments, dating back to the 18th century, amassed by musicologist Fivos Anoyanakis.
Inside the entrance is a small video display area showing films covering the making and playing of different instruments. The fun starts with the display cases themselves, however, as most of them have headphones attached, enabling you to listen to the instruments being played. A brief introduction in Greek and then English tells you which instrument in the case you are listening to, the name of the tune and where it was recorded. To listen to all the recordings available would take hours, and it is not unusual to see people not merely tapping their feet but dancing to the music! The instruments are grouped according to type and many of them are exquisite works of craftsmanship. Take a look at some of the lyres and guitars, in particular. On a simpler level, one set of photographs shows you how to make music using worry beads and a wine glass! There are also rural instruments such as bagpipes and shep herd's pipes, and examples of the urban blues known as rembetika.Address: Diogenous 1-3
Phone: 325-0198/4119
Open: Tue, Thu-Sun 10-2, Wed 12-6. Closed public holidays
Restaurant: None
Metro: Monastiráki
Accessible: None
Admission: Free
Other: Acropolis, Kanellopoulos Museum, Pláka, Roman Agora, Tower of the Winds
Practical: Summer concerts: call museum for details
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