Artwork & the Metropolis: Kolonaki and the Vasilissis Sofias Museum District – Greece Is

You’ll want many hours, if not days, to discover the collections of the Benaki Museum of Greek Tradition, the Museum of Cycladic Artwork, and the Byzantine and Christian Museum, which collectively cowl 5,000 years of artwork and historical past, from the Cycladic civilization of 3000 BC to the twentieth century.

Created by the Alexandria-born Antonis Benakis (1873-1954), a scion of one of many main households of the Greek diaspora and a philanthropist with a larger-than-life character, the Benaki Museum of Greek Tradition is a treasury of Greek artwork, historical past and tradition that shouldn’t be missed. Housed within the spectacular neoclassical household mansion (an attraction in its personal proper) of the Benakis clan, the museum’s huge everlasting assortment will take you on a journey from prehistoric occasions to the twentieth century, exploring all sides of Hellenism. Historic artifacts and Byzantine icons, elaborate conventional clothes and objects of knickknack, work and mosaics, and even on a regular basis objects, corresponding to an iron axe from Epirus used to prune olive bushes, a baglamas (long-necked bowl lute) from Crete and an early 18th-century violin from Asia Minor, compose a fascinating nationwide cultural narrative. When you enter from the facet door (on Koumbari Road), you’ll discover a golden plaque in your proper which reads: “Right here lies the center of Antonis Benakis.” This considerably uncommon donation to the gathering was in accordance with the ultimate want of the museum’s founder, proving the depth of his dedication to his establishment.

On the highest flooring of the museum is their newly renovated café-restaurant with advantageous views over the downtown space.

The Museum of Cycladic Artwork focuses on the civilization that flourished within the central and southern Aegean archipelago between 3200 and 2000 BC, and on the enduring Cycladic marble collectible figurines produced by that society. Distinctive in kind and ingenious of their simplicity, these masterpieces considerably influenced trendy artwork and design. Different noteworthy displays embody the uncommon “cup-bearer” figurine, the statue of the “Mom Goddess” measuring 140 cm, and the one-off “Dove Vase,” a disc-shaped marble plate with 16 carved doves, probably utilized in rituals and regarded one of the vital exceptional artifacts bequeathed to us by the Cycladic marble sculptors. Deliver your historic journey to a detailed at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Villa Ilissiathe previous winter palace of French noblewoman Sophie de Marbois-Lebrun, the Duchess of Plaisance (1785-1854).

This spectacular constructing courting from 1848, which appears prefer it belongs in a knight’s story, homes a lot of the museum’s assortment, comprising 25,000 artifacts from completely different elements of Greece, Asia Minor and the Balkans, and spanning the interval from the third century AD to the twentieth century. Of explicit curiosity is the 4th-century statue of a male determine with a lamb on his shoulder, just like the traditional Greek statue referred to as the “Moschophoros,” or “Calf Bearer,” however right here representing Jesus as the great shepherd, in addition to the marble plaques engraved with pagan and Christian symbols. If climate permits, a stroll by the museum’s stunning gardens is a deal with.

The War Museum (subsequent to the Byzantine and Christian Museum) has an in depth assortment of weapons and army memorabilia. Outdoors are a lot of airplanes, together with a 1954 Lockheed single-seat, single-engine fighter-bomber, a remnant of an analog period.

A stroll round Kolonaki

Espresso time

Among the many many thriving Greek roasteries, Redd stands out for its cosy environment. On this tiny café near the Museum of Cycladic Artwork, they serve distinctive espresso in handmade ceramic cups. You possibly can specify simply the way you’d like your mix – with chocolate or fruity notes, strong or weaker, and sharper or milder acidity – they usually’ll make a cup only for you.

Healthful brunch

As engaging as it’s tasty, the menu at Me options contemporary eggs, cold-pressed juices and vitality bowls made with high quality Greek merchandise. If, nevertheless, you need to benefit from the healthful meals they serve at this enticing spot on a energetic, tree-lined avenue, you’ll must e book a desk as a result of seating is proscribed and the place is extraordinarily fashionable.

High quality Greek delicacies

Papadakis attracts a blended clientele, from locals within the know to fortunate guests and businesspeople who don’t need to jeopardize a cope with a poor eating expertise. Right here, all the things is all the time the identical: tasty and unpretentious. The emphasis is on seafood, ready in conventional trend by a chef who’s well-known in Greece for her homestyle recipes. The menu options fish soup, orzo with shrimp, and scrumptious pasta creations made with the freshest elements.

Up to date artwork in a stately mansion

Courting to 1890, the Deligiorgis Mansion is likely one of the stunning buildings designed by architect Ernst Ziller when Athens was simply a big village. For the previous 4 years, it has housed the Athenian department of the Allouche Benias Gallery, based in New York in 2014. It has already hosted displays by a number of main Greek and worldwide artists whose work displays traits in popular culture, figurative artwork and neo-expressionism, together with Kenny Scharf, Ross Bleckner and Donald Baechler.

Candy temptation

At Candy Alchemythe boutique confectionery retailer run by celebrated pastry chef Stelios Parliaros, everybody offers in to temptation. Dainty candies, candy tarts, Greek-style turron and superb gâteaux de voyage beckon from glass show circumstances. If you’d like one thing candy to get pleasure from whereas strolling, attempt the cappuccino cream in a small glass, one of many chef’s most notable creations.

In wine there may be reality

Paliokalias, Gerodetis, Santameriana: the names of some Greek wines could be a little bit of a tongue tornado. On the wine retailer Mr. vertigothe skilled employees will know what you’re searching for, even for those who can’t pronounce it. Mr. Vertigo focuses on wines comprised of indigenous varieties, terroir wines, pure and minimal-intervention wines. On its cabinets are many bottled revelations, together with uncommon native varieties, restricted version wines and distilled spirits of the best high quality which you can take residence with you.

For the love of books

Are you into fantasy? Classical literature? Greek historical past? Booktics presents a variety of books for all tastes and ages, with an in depth bilingual assortment (Greek and English), translations and unique works by English-speaking writers who lived in, have been impressed by, or wrote about Greece. Our suggestions embody “Athens: Metropolis of Knowledge” by Bruce Clark, “The Greek Revolution and its International Significance” by Roderick Beaton, and translated collections of Greek poetry by award-winning poets Kiki Dimoula and Michalis Ganas.