Cultural walks in Attica: Artist Homes open to the Public!
Instagram photo: Elytis House Museum
Attica has been the cradle of arts, from the beginning of time, “fueling” the international community with eminent personalities of Literature and Arts. Before planning your trip to the Greater Athens Region, pinpoint the following suggestions and visit some of the houses of major Greek artists, which have now become museums open to the public.
Downtown, in the lovely neighborhood of Plaka, you can visit the House – Museum of Elytis, the acclaimed Nobel laureate. His first publications, treasured personal belongings and a faithful representation of his office unravel the story of the distinguished greek poet. Book your tour and immerse yourself in the homey atmosphere of this world-famous man of letters.
Maria Callas, probably the best soprano of all times, used to live in an apartment at Patission street for seven years. This building is about to accommodate the Academy of Lyric Art, to be named after her. However, no need to wait to step into the Divina’s unique universe! Explore the Maria Callas Museum, at Mitropoleos street in the heart of Athens, and enjoy a captivating experience through informative texts, personal memorabilia, videos and rare audio recordings, all celebrating her extraordinary life and iconic career.
In the neighborhood of Marousi, the historic residence and studio of the prominent Greek painter Giannis Tsarouchis is now open to all. His famous works, along with photographs documenting his artistic journey, captivate visitors at every turn. Throughout his career, his paintings were featured in galleries in Paris, London, New York and other cities abroad. In addition to painting, he worked as a set and costume designer for Theater, including international productions starring Maria Callas.
Strolling along Kriezotou Street in central Athens, you’ll encounter a condominium that exemplifies mid-20th century architecture, housing The Ghika Gallery (Benaki Museum). This used to be the residence of Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika, where the great Greek painter lived and thrived for forty years. Admire his paintings and discover the signature style of an artist whose masterpieces are exhibited in museums across Paris, London and New York.
Salamina, one of the Attican islands, hosts the residence of Angelos Sikelianos, a notable Greek poet five times nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature. This picturesque house by the sea is where he lived until the end of his life, creating the foremost part of his work. The space is filled with his personal possessions, including furniture, photographs, letters and other keepsakes from him and his wife. You can visit it upon contacting the local Museum of Folk Art and History.
Still in the Saronic Gulf, don’t miss out on visiting Aegina, the island of artists. The house and atelier of Nikos Nikolaou, an outstanding Greek painter, printmaker and sculptor, known as a member of the “Thirties’ Generation”, still preserves the actual atmosphere where he lived in. This was a meeting point for artists, a “round table” of a constellation made up of exceptional intellectuals, such as Yiannis Moralis, Christos Kapralos and Odysseas Elytis. Nikolaou’s artwork stands out for its minimalistic style and absence of many and intense colors, with female nude being its dominant theme. His atelier is open to the public every Saturday afternoon. For your better service, you can call here.
In Aegina, you will also find the house and studio of Christos Kapralos, now operating as the Kapralos Museum (a branch of the National Gallery). The museum’s interior and exterior spaces display sculptures crafted by the modernist artist, who was one of the most important figures of the 20th century. Key attractions include the plaster cast of the forty-meter-long limestone frieze “Monument to the Battle of Pindos” and the striking bronze statue “Mother”, just across the museum.
Make the most of your trip to the Greater Athens Region and uncover the lives and legacies of influential Greek intellectuals who left a permanent imprint on Art. Their former houses and studios are now museums, accessible to all, offering an insightful glimpse into their remarkable stories, both in and out of Greece.
