Museum of Cycladic Art, Athens

Museum of Cycladic Art, Athens (must see)

This museum is home to one of the world's most exquisite collections of Cycladic art, featuring elegant carvings that are unlike anything found in contemporary civilizations. These artifacts are remnants of an ancient culture that thrived in the Cycladic Islands of the Aegean Sea from around 3,200 to 1,000 BC. The islands formed a homogenous unit, with pristine white marble from places like Paros and Naxos, as well as rich mineral deposits including gold, silver, and copper on other islands. Such an abundance of resources led to a flourishing industry in various arts and crafts, especially sculpture, metallurgy, and jewelry-making. The items were traded not only within Greece but also with Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).

The museum's collection was initially curated by Nikolaos and Dolly Goulandrís, members of Greece's most prominent shipping dynasty, and it has grown over time with contributions from other Greek collectors. Dating back to the 3rd millennium BC, the Cycladic marble sculptures depicting both women and men exhibit a haunting simplicity that has inspired numerous 20th-century artists and sculptors, including Henry Moore, Picasso, and Modigliani. Additionally, the museum features an outstanding selection of ancient Greek and Cypriot art pieces, some dating as far back as 5,000 years ago.

In the main building, the Cycladic collection is on the first floor, ancient Greek art is on the second floor, and the third floor features ancient Cypriot art, while the fourth floor houses objects depicting everyday life in antiquity. The neoclassical Stathátos Mansion, an adjacent structure designed by Bavarian architect Ernst Ziller in 1895, hosts temporary exhibitions, receptions, and lectures.

Why You Should Visit:
The four floors of this exceptional museum offer a comprehensive exploration of the history and culture of the Cycladic Islands through various means, including exhibits, artifacts, soundscapes, and films.

Tip:
Be sure to explore the second building as well. While you may come across interesting temporary exhibitions, the building itself is worth a brief stroll.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Athens. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Museum of Cycladic Art on Map

Sight Name: Museum of Cycladic Art
Sight Location: Athens, Greece (See walking tours in Athens)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

Walking Tours in Athens, Greece

Create Your Own Walk in Athens

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Walking Around the National Garden

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The National Garden is an impressive, historic park in the center of Athens, complete with artificial streams and duck ponds. Formerly known as the Royal Garden, it was commissioned by King Otto’s queen, Amalia, in 1838, reason why it is located directly behind the Old Palace (currently the Greek Parliament building). Not only is it a welcome refuge from the swirl of traffic just outside the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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Walking Tour Around the Legendary Acropolis

Walking Tour Around the Legendary Acropolis

Also called "the sacred rock", the Acropolis was home to temples and sanctuaries throughout recorded history, and is a symbol of the city of Athens. Its religious importance was paramount to the ancient Greeks, and the buildings on the summit still capture the essence of their classical architecture. You can see the temples from most parts of the city, which adds to the feeling that this...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
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Traditional Greek cuisine is one of the healthiest in the world, and prices in all but the flashiest establishments afford excellent value. The prevalence of vegetable and dairy dishes makes eating out a delight for non-meat eaters. Carefully selected appetizers (tzatzíki, dolmádes, kalamarákia) can constitute a full meal. Greece’s most famous slow-cooked oven dish, however, is probably...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
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Athens Introduction Walking Tour

Athens is one of the oldest European cities, widely regarded as the birthplace of Western Civilization. Its history begins in the Neolithic period between 4th and 3rd millennium BC. The first settlement on the site of Athens was situated on the rock of Acropolis which means “high city” in Greek.

According to the Greek mythology, the name “Athens” emerged from a competition between the...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Plaka Attractions Walking Tour

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In the shadow of the Acropolis stands Plaka, the most picturesque and oldest district of Athens, with continuous habitation from antiquity until today. The “neighborhood of the Gods”, as it is called, is like a romantic, atmospheric trip to old Athens adorned with antiquities, historic 19th-century buildings, museums and Byzantine churches.

From the vibrant Syntagma Square walking down...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles

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