Page 295 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

floor of the museum is used
Aerial view across for often compelling w "
Byzantine and
Monastiraki Square temporary exhibitions.The Christian Museum
and Pláka in Athens adjoining Neo-Classical
Stathátos Mansion is named Βυζαντινό και χριστιανικό μουσείο
after its original inhabitants,
Otto and Athiná Stathátos, ⌂ Vasilíssis Sofías 22
the collection is ever- and houses the Greek Art # summer: 8am–8pm daily
(from noon Mon); winter:
expanding and there have Collection of the Athens
been several extensions Academy. Temporary exhibi- much earlier closing time
added to the original building, tions are often on display on ∑ byzantinemuseum.gr
subsequent to its conversion the first floor of the mansion. One of Athens’s best for both
into a museum. quality of displays and clarity
of presentation. Exhibits, not
just ecclesiastical, are grouped
q " thematically and chrono log-
10 "- National Gallery ically. A compelling aspect is
Museum of Cycladic of Art the visual transition from
Art Εθνική Πινακοθήκη Roman and pagan practices
Μουσείο Κυκλαδικής Τέχνης and archi tecture in early
⌂ Vasiléos Konstandínou Christianity. Star exhibits
⌂ Neofýtou Doúka 4, 50, Ilísia q Evangelismós include the mosaic floor of
Kolonáki v 3, 7 # 10am– v 3, 13 # 9am–3:30pm Mon the Ilissós basilica; a carved
5pm Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat; & Thu–Sun, 2–9pm Wed marble altar screen with a lion
10am–8pm Thu; 11am–5pm ¢ Main public hols attacking a stag; the Hoard of
Sun ¢ Main public hols ∑ nationalgallery.gr Mytilene, hastily buried during
∑ cycladic.gr
This gallery holds a 7th-century Arab raids; and
Opened in 1986, this modern permanent collection of many 13th-century frescoes
museum has the world’s European and Greek art, from vulnerable churches.
finest collection of Cycladic mainly paintings. In one
art. Assembled by Nikolaos gallery, the marvellous
and Dolly Goulandris and European collection includes
helped by the donations of works by the great masters of
other Greek collectors, it Van Dyck, Cézanne, Dürer and
brings together a fantastic Rembrandt, as well as STAY
selection of ancient Greek art Picasso’s Woman in a White
spanning 5,000 years of Dress (1939) and Caravaggio’s Emporikon Athens
history, spread over five Singer (1620). Most of the
fantastic floors. collection is made up of Greek This hotel is in a 19th-
century Neo-Classical
The displays start on the art from the 18th to 20th building with original
first floor, home to the centuries. The 1800s feature ceilings and balconies,
Cycladic collection. Dating evocative paintings of the plus a spiral staircase.
back to the 3rd millennium War of Independence. There
BC, the Cycladic figurines are also some excellent ⌂ Eólou 27A,
were found mostly in graves, portraits, including The Loser Monastiráki
∑ emporikon
although their exact usage of the Bet (1878) by Nikólaos athenshotel.com
remains a mystery. One of the Gýzis (1842–1901), Waiting
finest examples is (1900) by Nikifóros Lýtras ¡¡¡
the marble sculpture (1832–1904) and The Straw
of the Harp Player. Hat (1925) by Nikólaos Marble House
Ancient Greek art Lýtras (1883–1927). Pension
is exhib ited on the The neighbouring Simple rooms (some
second floor and the building, which houses with shared bathrooms)
Charles Politis the excellent, sizeable at one of the quietest
collection of Classical sculpture collection, spots in town.
and Prehistoric art is remains closed for
on the fourth floor; extensive renovation. ⌂ Alley off Anastasíou
Zínni 35, Koukáki
high lights include ∑ marblehouse.gr
some terracotta
figurines of ¡¡¡
women from Marble idol on display
Tanágra, central in the Museum of
Greece. The third Cycladic Art
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