Opposite the National Archaeological Museum on Patision Street stands the historic Papaleonardou Apartment Building, a landmark listed building spanning 1,442 square meters and one of the finest surviving examples of Athens’ interwar architecture.
Designed in 1925 by renowned architect Kostas Kitsikis, the building showcases strong influences from the German Jugendstil movement. For decades, however, it was left abandoned, suffering extensive damage from the Athens earthquake and a devastating fire, bringing it to the brink of collapse.
In 2019, an ambitious restoration and conservation project began, carefully preserving the building’s historic character while adhering to the highest contemporary standards for monument restoration. The €6.9 million project was funded through the Operational Programme Transport Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainable Development.
Following the completion of the restoration, the historic building was entrusted to the Maria Callas Academy of Lyric Art, embarking on a new chapter as an important cultural institution.
The Maria Callas Museum officially opened in October 2023, inaugurated by then Mayor of Athens Kostas Bakoyannis. Housed in a beautifully restored 1,070-square-meter neoclassical building on Mitropoleos Street, the museum celebrates the life and legacy of one of the world’s greatest opera singers.
Visitors are invited to explore Maria Callas’ extraordinary journey through rare photographs, audiovisual installations, personal belongings, and compelling stories that bring to life the defining moments of her remarkable career.
