Athens Lalaounis Jewelry Museum

Location: Acropolis
Don't miss: Museums guide (free admission dates and other useful info)

The Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum was founded in 1993 and opened to the public in 1994 as a non-government cultural institution. It is housed in a beautiful neoclassical building, which used to be the old workshop of the famous jewelry designer Ilias Lalaounis, located south of the Acropolis. The building had multiple renovations to turn into a museum.

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Nowadays, the permanent exhibition of the Jewelry Museum displays over 4,000 pieces and micro-sculptures designed by Ilias Lalaounis from 1940 to 2000. The inspirations for these jewelry collections derive from various sources, such as the Neolithic period, the Byzantine period, the post-Colombian architecture and African designs. These collections have also been inspired by the Greek jewelry from the Classical and the Hellenistic periods and several creations inspired by the latest developments in technology and science.

The permanent exhibition of the work of Ilias Lalaounis presents 50 collections containing a total of approximately 4,500 creations made between 1957 and 2002.
There are six thematic sections in this area. More specifically:
• The Golden Dawn of Art, which includes jewelry inspired by antiquity (Prehistory, Palaeolithic and Neolithic eras)
• The History of Greek Jewelry, which includes jewelry inspired by ancient Greek civilization (Cycladic, Minoan and Mycenaean civilization, Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods, and the Byzantine Era).
• Foreign Cultures, including jewelry inspired by the art of foreign peoples (Vikings, Celts, North American Indians, House of Tudor, etc.)
• Nature, including jewelry inspired by the nature and seascape of Greece
• Space, Biology and Technology, which includes jewelry inspired by the achievements of modern man (e.g. decoding DNA, the first mission to the moon, creation of computers, etc.)
• Special Assignments, which include jewelry created by Lalaounis over the course of his 70-year career
In addition, the permanent collections include private collections of jewelry created in various periods.
The library hosts over 5,000 volumes about the art of jewelry making and also publications in archaeology, fine arts, nature, and other civilizations.

The museum frequently organizes periodical exhibitions, and cultural and educational programs for children and teenagers and has an interesting publishing activity.
A lovely cafeteria and a restaurant on the ground floor of the museum and a special roof garden offering a spectacular view to the southern side of the Acropolis lie within the museum's premises.

Lalaounis Museum has been established as a strong and modern organization with exhibitions and activities for all ages. It aims to transform the museum into an international center that will enhance the history of jewelry and the art of jewelry trade.

The Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum is open daily from 09:00 to 15:00, except for Sundays (closed).

The photo is from www.lalaounis-jewelrymuseum.gr

Official website: www.lalaounis-jewelrymuseum.gr

How to get there

There are many ways to reach the Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, from any location in Athens.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport, or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: (0030) 18288, (0030) 18222, (0030) 18180. You can also book your taxi online.

On foot: As the Lalaounis Jewelry Museum is located in a central area of Athens, it can be easily reached on foot from Syntagma Square in approximately 8 minutes.

By metro: The closest metro station is Akropoli (Red Line). Note that the Lalaounis Jewelry Museum is located within a 5-minute walking distance from the metro. Get a map of the metro here.

By bus/trolleybus: The closest bus stop is "Mouseio Akropolis" (Bus line 230). Check the routes and the official timetables on OASA Telematics.

By tram: The closest tram stop is Leoforos Vouliagmenis (Route 6, Syntagma-Pikrodafni). Get a map of the tram here.