The world’s first Maria Callas Museum will open its doors to the public on Thursday in central Athens, to mark the centenary of her birth, the Athens Technopolis City organization responsible for cultural events in the capital announced on Wednesday.
Its location is at 44 Mitropoleos Street and the exhibition is based on an experiential model, encouraging visitors to discover different facets of the legendary soprano’s career and personal life.
The collection’s beginning dates back to 2000, under the leadership of then-mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, when the city participated in an international auction of Callas memorabilia in Paris. Over the following years, the collection was enriched through donations from several agencies and individuals such as the Greek Society Maria Callas and Constantine and Victoria Pylarinos, as well as long-term loans. Currently it includes almost 1,000 articles.
Built between the two world wars, the museum’s four-story building housed the 20-room Royal Hotel until the 1960s. It was declared a historic building and was purchased by the municipality in 2010 to house municipal services, until the municipality decided to house the museum.
Outgoing Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis thanked those who contributed to the project and said: “Athens owed an exceptional debt of honor to the legendary Greek soprano. The Maria Callas Museum, the first museum of its kind in the world, makes us all very proud.
Thanks for reading Hellenic News of America
Between Thursday and Saturday, the museum will be free to the public by reservation online via https://www.more.com. It is wheelchair accessible.
BUSINESS HOURS
From April 1 to October 31, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
From November 1 to March 31, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Closed on December 25 and 26 and January 1
Closed on Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday and the following Monday
TICKETS
Free entry on December 2, May 18 and September 25 (European Cultural Heritage Days)
Ticket office: https://www.more.com and at the Museum
General admission: 10 euros; reduced, 7 euros and 3 euros; family, 22 euros for 2 adults and 2 children (over 6 years old)
Free entry: Children up to 6 years old; disabled people and accompanying person; members of ICOM; migrants; donors
Guided tours: +4 euros/person (reservations at 210 4404204)
Group tickets: 8 euros/person for a group of 10+ (reservations at 210 4404204)
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
