Victoria G. Karelias Collection of Greek Traditional Costumes
Victoria G. Karelias Collection of Greek Traditional Costumes
Victoria G. Karelias Collection of Greek Traditional Costumes
5
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
About
The Victoria G. Karelias Collection of greek traditional costumes was created, initially as a private collection, by the founding member and long-standing president of the Lyceum Club of Greek Women of Kalamata, V. Karelias. The collection comprises a large number of complete outfits, as worn by women and men, from all regions of Greece.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
146 reviews
Excellent
142
Very good
4
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
MissTJohnson
London, UK13 contributions
Jun 2022
Sumptuous collection of Greek traditional dress displayed in a serene, ultra-modern and cool environment. Reasonable 5 euro admission.
But don't be bullied by the helpful yet controlling staff into visiting the overpriced shop with very little of interest, unless you want a glossy card with no envelope for 3 euros.
But don't be bullied by the helpful yet controlling staff into visiting the overpriced shop with very little of interest, unless you want a glossy card with no envelope for 3 euros.
Written July 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dimitris D
Athens, Greece141 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Great collection of folk costumes. The music and the lights create such an atmosphere. The personnel is very gentle. The museum has tablets that describe fully the exhibits.
The entrance is 5 euros and 3 for children up to 12 years old.
The duration could be up to 1 hour
The entrance is 5 euros and 3 for children up to 12 years old.
The duration could be up to 1 hour
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
J N
Boston, MA4 contributions
Oct 2022
We visited the museum while exploring Old Town Kalamata during the off-season. The museum has a beautiful collection of Greek clothing from different regions and time periods. The friendly staff was more than happy to answer all our questions and the stationary, interactive tablets were a great aid.
Written February 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Margaret G
2 contributions
Jul 2022
What a stunning, jaw droppingly beautiful experience.
Don't be put off by the shut door, just ring the bell and see an amazing collection of costumes from all over Greece.
I could not believe the beautiful handwork with precious threads and fabrics that have lasted through the years.
The display is clever, the people are lovely and after all my travels this was a stand out experince
Don't be put off by the shut door, just ring the bell and see an amazing collection of costumes from all over Greece.
I could not believe the beautiful handwork with precious threads and fabrics that have lasted through the years.
The display is clever, the people are lovely and after all my travels this was a stand out experince
Written August 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JEGBSTEDS
Bury St Edmunds, England, United Kingdom21 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
The restoration of a stunning 19th C building in the heart of the Old part of Kalamata is exceptional. The collection is beautifully displayed and has a fantastic breadth of traditional clothing. This was my third visit and will by no means be my last - every time I've been I notice something new. We received a warm welcome and a brief, well presented introduction and then we're left to our own devices. If you are anywhere near or in Kalamata this is a must see museum.
Written October 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Betsy P
1 contribution
May 2022 • Couples
Richly displayed space of traditional Greek costumes from all regions of Greece, including an extensive jewelry collection. LCD displays showcase each costume from various angles with short descriptions & their origins on a map. Hand-held tablets are available as well.
Small nooks throughout building hold additional treasures. There is an outdoor area with tables & chairs & a small exquisite gift show.
Allow yourself time to take it all in.
Staff is extremely knowledgeable, helpful & English is flawlessly spoken.
A fabulous experience.
Small nooks throughout building hold additional treasures. There is an outdoor area with tables & chairs & a small exquisite gift show.
Allow yourself time to take it all in.
Staff is extremely knowledgeable, helpful & English is flawlessly spoken.
A fabulous experience.
Written May 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Carol B
Poros, Greece56 contributions
Dec 2019
We spent more than an hour in this museum arranged over 3 floors. The staff are very knowledgeable. There is a lift and a small gift shop.
Written December 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Konstantinos-AN
Kalamata, Greece56 contributions
Jul 2019
A genuine collection of Greek traditional costumes and trully oe of the most comprehensive collections in Greece
Written August 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JEGBSTEDS
Bury St Edmunds, England, United Kingdom21 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
This is an exceptional, almost overwhelmingly magnificent collection of traditional Greek costumes. The collection has been brilliantly curated, the building, though old on the outside, has been modernised in a totally sympathetic and surprising way. The attention to detail and care is outstanding, I might even say impeccable.
The presentation is staggering and as a visitor I was totally immersed in the rich history of Traditional Greek clothing.
The ‘hosts’ who welcomed us were warm and friendly, hugely knowledgeable, professional, and added enormously to the experience.
It is also worth noting that Victoria Karelias’s vision and her dedication to making this happen is a total triumph.
I can not recommend this enough. It is worth going out of your way to visit.
The museum is just on the edge of the Old Town and it’s worth a visit there, too, as there are lovely small shops and bakeries, churches and very good tavernas. Make a day of it; you won’t regret it!
The presentation is staggering and as a visitor I was totally immersed in the rich history of Traditional Greek clothing.
The ‘hosts’ who welcomed us were warm and friendly, hugely knowledgeable, professional, and added enormously to the experience.
It is also worth noting that Victoria Karelias’s vision and her dedication to making this happen is a total triumph.
I can not recommend this enough. It is worth going out of your way to visit.
The museum is just on the edge of the Old Town and it’s worth a visit there, too, as there are lovely small shops and bakeries, churches and very good tavernas. Make a day of it; you won’t regret it!
Written September 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jim K
Caves Beach, Australia70 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We were recommended the Museum by a local resident writer friend (from Australia nearly 40 years ago - Gillian BOURAS - read her classic A Foreign Wife!) during a coffee together earlier to-day. Churches both ancient and historic and other museums in the same locale - this is the spot where the 23 March 1821 uprising against the Turkish Imperial occupiers began. Anyway we found the Museum - pushed the buzzer by the door - and announced that we would like to enter to view the exhibits! The voice inside responded by saying that the door would be opened. We entered - immediately greeted by tall - and - it must be said - with movie star looks - curator Costas Giannopoulos - welcoming us - inviting us to examine the entrance-way gallery of sketches of Greek regional traditional dress - and inviting us then, when we were finished - to enter the next gallery and the reception desk. Which we did. After some minutes of examination of that first gallery. At the desk was Marina - curator/director - and being of a certain age - our entry fee was 60% of the regular fee - i.e. 3 Euros for us! Marina then used the display cabinet alongside the desk to explain how we might use the interactive screens explaining the cabinets - and at the same time the way in which the gallery's three floors were arranged. Following which she left us to our own perusal. My wife was a former HoD senior high school Home Economics teacher (including of Textiles and Design) while my own field is variously languages and History. We were in our element. The collection was put together over some 45 years by Victoria KARELIAS - all original items from the mid-18th till the early part of the 20th century - from all across Greece including the former Hellespont region from which the Greeks were expelled during the great upheavals of the post WWI-early 1920s period. The Museum has just recently (September) celebrated its first year since being opened. We spent an hour-and-a-half - enjoying the brilliance of the craftsmen and women's work - the work done to repair and restore these ancient garments - noting coinage (garlanded around women's costumes - in silver and gold) reflecting empires and political movements across the Ottoman, Syrian, Austro-Hungarian and Royal Greek periods. It was stunning - and beautifully arranged. Later in discussion with Marina and Costas we mentioned having last been here in Kalamata just a year-and-a-half after the great September 1986 earthquake. Costas was born just after that earthquake and Marina came to Kalamata as a little girl just a few years later. We were shown the courtyard space where concerts take place and the little but growing shop where fine local crafts-people are producing embroidery and jewellery after traditional ways. DON'T MISS THIS GEM!
Written October 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Louvaine123
Ottawa, Canada13 contributions
What is the cost of admission.
Λύκειον των Ελλ... Κ
Kalamata, Greece
Normal ticket: 5 euro. Reduced ticket (above 65 years, under 12 years): 3 euro.
Is the museum open in September and October?
Λύκειον των Ελλ... Κ
Kalamata, Greece
Yes, the Museum is open all year round.
Victoria G. Karelias Collection of Greek Traditional Costumes (Kalamata) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Victoria G. Karelias Collection of Greek Traditional Costumes
- Victoria G. Karelias Collection of Greek Traditional Costumes is open:
- Sun - Sun 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Tue - Sat 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Wed - Wed 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
- Sat - Sat 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
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