The Museum of Cycladic Art (N.P. Goulandris Foundation) is one of the greatest museums in Athens and has a magnificent collection of Cycladic art artifacts. It also has a collection of Ancient Greek Art, Cypriot Culture and a new wing for temporary exhibitions, mainly of contemporary art. It was founded in 1986 in order to house the collection of Cycladic and Ancient Greek art belonging to Nicolas and Dolly Goulandris.
The Museum's main building (N. Douka 4, str), erected in the centre of Athens in 1985, was designed by the Greek architect Ioannis Vikelas and houses the permanent collections. Ιts façade combines marble and glass, conveying the sense of austerity and the diffusion of refracted light that predominate in the Cycladic landscape. The interior is distinguished by simple lines and a modern aesthetic, as well as the use of materials encountered in the Cyclades, such as marble and granite. The builidng has 4 floors with galleries, occupying in total approximately 2,300 sq. m.
In 1991, the Museum acquired the magnificent neo-classical Stathatos Mansion which houses temporary exhibitions and the offices of the museum. The building is accessible both from the corner of Vasilissis Sophias Avenue and Irodotou Street, and from the Main Building, via a closed passageway leading from the atrium. The Stathatos Mansion, work of the well known Bavarian architect Ernst Ziller, is one of the most important extant examples of Neoclassical architecture of the 19th century. It was built in 1895 as the residence of the family of Othon Stathatos, to whom it belonged until 1938. It subsequently housed diplomatic representations of various states. In 1982 it was purchased by the Greek State and was restored by the architect P. Kalligas, with a view to its use as accommodation for VIP guests of the State. This plan was abandoned and in 1991 the building was leased to the MCA, in order to cover its increased needs for exhibition space.
The museum has an excellent cafe-restaurant and a very good art shop.
OPENING HOURS: Monday - Wednesday - Friday - Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00, Thursday: 10:00 - 20:00 Sunday: 11:00 - 17:00
CLOSED: Tuesday & Greek Holidays
METRO STATION: Evagelismos, Syntagma
BUS: Α5, Ε6, Ε7, Χ14, 054, 200, 203, 204, 220, 221