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| Benaki Museum |
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| The Benaki museum is the oldest private museum in Greece. Antonis Benakis, son of the Alexandrian merchant Emmanuel Benakis, founded it in 1930. The building, a 20th-century neoclassical town house was the former home of the family Benakis. Over 20.000 items are displayed over four levels, including Benakis' private acquisitions from Asia and Europe and other private donations. Prehistoric works of art, manuscripts, Byzantine icons, historic weapons and paintings covering eight thousand years of Greek history from the Neolithic era to the 20th-century. The museum also features a reconstruction of two living rooms from 18th century Greek mansions. The museum shop is excellent, the roof garden with a restaurant and a cafe has a spectacular view over Athens, and new galleries will house special exhibitions. |
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