From October 26 to 29, the Museum, at 44 Mitropoleos Street, is offering free admission to all.
The highly-anticipated Maria Callas Museum is set to open its doors on Thursday, October 26th, at 44 Mitropoleos Street, right in the heart of Athens, paying tribute to the legendary soprano who redefined 20th-century opera.
The Technopolis City of Athens, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Maria Callas’ birth, included in UNESCO’s list of anniversaries for 2023, inaugurates the Maria Callas Museum, a point of cultural reference for years to come.
By showcasing Maria Callas’ exceptional artistry and technique, the new museum aims to inspire visitors while dispelling any myths surrounding her career and personality
The new cultural attraction in the centre of Athens focuses on an experiential journey that ignites visitors’ love for Maria Callas and encourages them to discover various aspects of her life and career. The museum showcases unique objects that belong to this multifaceted artist, who, with her unique timbre of voice and stage presence, revolutionized the world of opera forever.
Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis stated: “Athens owed a great honour to the legendary Divina. The Maria Callas Museum, the first of its kind in the world, makes us all proud. I would like to extend my warm gratitude to the donors, sponsors, project team, and all those who contributed to making this exquisite museum possible for Athens “.
Konstantinos Dedes, President of the Technopolis City of Athens commented: “Creating a museum, the first in the world, for the great artist Maria Callas, was a demanding task that the City of Athens assigned to Technopolis, and we are delighted to inaugurate it. Residents and visitors to the city will have the opportunity to get to know, feel and hear her voice in a modern and accessible place in the heart of Athens”.
Konstantinos Bitzanis, CEO of the Technopolis City of Athens and coordinator of the project noted: “The creation of the Maria Callas Museum is a project undertaken by the Technopolis City of Athens, which, since 2000, owns and maintains the original collection of the City of Athens with objects belonging to the great diva. The know-how and organized and effective work made building this new museum in less than a year possible. It is delivered to the public 100 years after the Great Diva’s birth as a modern and complete museum dedicated to the artist who gave a new dimension to opera singing”.
The Maria Callas Museum is offering free admission from October 26 to 29. Make a reservation through more.com and remember to validate your free ticket at the museum.
Tickets will be available online, starting today, Wednesday, October 25.
The Museum
The first-ever Maria Callas Museum invites visitors to immerse themselves in the world of the renowned diva and explore her unique interpretation of some of the most iconic roles from her career.
The museum showcases Maria Callas’ life and career through a variety of mediums, including texts, objects, videos, and rare audio snippets, creating a unique experience for visitors, taking them on a journey through her early beginnings, her time in Greece, her international career and famous roles, her cosmopolitan lifestyle, her personality, the important moments and people in her life, and her lasting legacy.
The Collection
Since 2000, the City of Athens has been amassing a collection of objects related to Maria Callas. The first items were obtained from an international auction in Paris. Over time, the collection has grown to include around 1,000 items that either belong to or are associated with Maria Callas. Contributions from institutions and individuals, such as the Maria Callas Greek Society, Konstantinos and Victoria Pylarinos, and loaned objects, have helped expand the collection.
In October 2022, at the Music Library of the Athens Concert Hall, Konstantinos and Victoria Pylarinos (President and Member, respectively, of the Maria Callas Scholarship Society) donated 50 unique objects of Maria Callas from their personal collection.
In September 2023, the Maria Callas Greek Society enriched the Museum by donating to the City of Athens important relics in its possession. The donation agreement was signed by the President of the Maria Callas Greek Society, Ms. Liana Skourli and the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, in anticipation of the Museum.
The building
The four-story building located at 44 Mitropoleos Street was constructed during the interwar period, with the oldest contract dating back to 1928. It was a three-star hotel with 20 rooms named “Royal” until the 1960s. The building was modified in 1950 and was listed based on a Presidential Decree (Government Gazette 349Δ/85). The original structure of the building is most evident on the facade of Petraki Street. In the 2010s, the City of Athens purchased the building to house its services. However, the former Mayor of Athens and the current one decided to use the building as the Maria Callas Museum.
The Team
The first Maria Callas Museum results from years of research and work by leading professionals. The design team consists of Andromachi Gazi, Professor of Museology at Panteion University, Erato Koutsoudaki-Gerolympou, Architect-Museologist and Alexandros Charkiolakis, Director of the Friends of Music Society.
Technopolis was entrusted with implementing the project at the Maria Callas Museum. As part of this mandate, it was responsible for overseeing the organization and coordination of the various working groups responsible for the project’s design and implementation. Technopolis was also responsible for conducting all necessary procedures and works to ensure the successful delivery of the project. Additionally, for the next five years, Technopolis will manage the operations of the new Museum.
The implementation team of the Museum consists of Konstantinos Bitzanis, Managing Director of the Technopolis City of Athens; Maria Florou, Head of the Industrial Gas Museum; Grigoris Gaitanaros, civil engineer; Despina Andriopoulou, Cultural Manager -Museologist and Niobe Andrioti, Museologist-Communicator.
Address
44 Mitropoleos Str, 105 63, Athens
+30 210 44 04 204
info@mariacallasmuseum.gr
Opening hours
April 1 – October 31
Tuesday –Sunday 10.00-20.00
Friday 10.00-22.00
November 1–March 31
Tuesday –Sunday 10.00-18.00
Friday 10.00-21.00
The Museum will remain closed on Mondays, 25 & 26/12, 1/1 and
Easter Sunday & Monday
Free admission on 2/12, 18/05 and 25/09, European Heritage Days.
Tickets on more.com and at the Museum box office.
*The Museum is accessible to people with disabilities.
Admission fees:
GENERAL ADMISSION: €10
REDUCED PRICE TICKET: €7, €3
FAMILIY TICKET: 2 adults + 2 children (over 6 years old): €22
FREE ADMISSION
Children up to 6 years old, Individuals with disabilities (including but not limited to those with mental disorders, mental disabilities, mobility issues, and vision or hearing impairments) + companion, ICOM Members, Refugees, Sponsors, Donors.
TOURS: +€4/person. Reservation required at 210 44 04 204
GROUP TICKETS: €8/person for 10+ people. Reservations at 210 44 04 204
web: https://mariacallasmuseum.gr/