Museum of Folk Art and Tradition "Angeliki Hatzimichali"

Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Angeliki Hatzimichali”

The Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Angeliki Hatzimichali” has been operating since 1980 and is housed in the old mansion of the first Greek folklorist Angeliki Hatzimichali (1895-1965) in Plaka. The building is a monument of the latest Greek urban architectural style of the inter-war period and is the work of the Macedonian architect Aristotle Zachos (1871-1939), who combined traditional elements with neo-Byzantine and Macedonian elements, while the interior is decorated with woodcarvings made by the folk craftsman N. Thomopoulos.

In the halls of the museum there are collections of folk art objects with works of woodcarving, metalwork, pottery, traditional costumes, embroidery and carpets woven on looms. Some of them belong to the Hellenic Folklore Society, while others come from private donations. However, the furniture, books, letters and personal belongings of the folklorist Angeliki Hatzimichalis are also on display, giving the visitor an insight into her course and work in the social and intellectual life of Greece.

The purpose of the Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Angeliki Hatzimichali” is the rescue, preservation and display of folk art objects. As a member of the International Council of Museums (ICoM) and the Museum Network, it is open to the public, communicating and exhibiting its collections for study, education and entertainment. At the same time, it organises temporary exhibitions on Greek popular culture, free guided tours and museum education programmes for all school levels. It also has a folklore library that can be visited by scholars and researchers.