Athens attracts travelers from all over the world for its history and ancient treasures. However, contemporary art lovers are not left out in the cold these days. The modern, ambitious Greek capital has opened a museum of contemporary art in the heart of the Koukaki district. That’s right… After a number of difficulties, EMST opened its doors in 2020! Would you now like to find out more about its collections and history? Here’s some useful information before your visit.
The history of the National Museum of Contemporary Art
EMST was founded in 1997 and acquired the first works in its collection in 2000. For the next 20 years, lacking his own premises, he organized nomadic exhibitions in various venues such as the Athens Concert Hall and the School of Fine Arts. After a few financial and administrative hurdles, the museum moved definitively into the gigantic former Fix brewery, a landmark in Athens.
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation decides to grant a subsidy to the museum, enabling it to acquire the equipment it needs to run smoothly. It opened its doors in February 2020.
The museum’s famous building and sleek architecture
The former FIX brewery was built in 1961 by two Greek architects: Takis Zenetos (1926-1977) and Margaritis Apostolidis (1921-2005). The museum now has a vast, magnificent 20,000 m2 space in which to display its permanent and temporary collections.
It’s an impressive building with an industrial design and a purist, minimalist style. What strikes you as you enter is the pleasant luminosity and the omnipresence of white, which allows the eye to focus on the works of art. The museum is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Don’t miss the museum’s rooftop on the top floor, with its breathtaking view of the city and the Parthenon.
Permanent and temporary exhibitions to discover
The permanent collection comprises 172 works by 78 Greek and international artists. The museum’s intention? Promote the talent of contemporary Greek artists and show that Athens has its place on the international scene. The works on display deal with sensitive, complex and timeless subjects: identity, democracy, exclusion, discrimination, immigration… Some works by internationally renowned Greek artists such as Costas Tsoclis and Jannis Kounellis are included.
EMST has a mobile application (IOS and Android). As well as being pleasant, the interface is easy to use, allowing you to learn more about the artists and their works during your visit.
EMST’s ideal location
EMST is less than 800 m from the Acropolis Museum, in the heart of the Koukaki district. The Syngrou-Fix metro station is also just a few steps from the museum (280 m). NYN ESTI, a café-restaurant nestled on the 4th floor. For now, we strongly recommend extending your visit with a stroll through the lively and seductive Koukaki district. Whether for lunch or dinner, there are plenty of excellent restaurants nearby to soak up the atmosphere.
Allow 1 to 2 hours for your visit, depending on your appetite for conceptual and contemporary art.
Not full yet? Why not discover the Goulandris Foundation now? Opening in 2019, this other museum of modern and contemporary art impresses with the richness and beauty of its collection.
Updated on March 28, 2024
