Established in 1930 by wealthy philanthropist Antonis Benakis in his neo-classical family mansion opposite the National Gardens, the museum was founded with his donation of nearly 40,000 pieces of Byzantine and Islamic art. Further donations from private collectors over the decades swelled the exhibitions and resulted in the museum being extended several times. The main Benaki Museum now concentrates solely on Greek history, including the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the formation of the Greek state in 1821, and the 1922 defeat of the Greek army in the Asia Minor Disaster that led to the massacre of thousands of Greeks living in Turkey and the displacement of a million more.
Visit the museum as part of a guided tour to fully appreciate the highlights of this vast collection in their historical and cultural context; choose between a tour that concentrates solely on the Benaki Museum or that combines a visit of the collection with other attractions in Athens. Alternatively, book skip-the-line tickets in advance to avoid a wait at the entrance and take in the museum at your own pace.