The Renovation of the Jewish Museum of Greece

Located in the heart of Athens, the Jewish Museum of Greece is entering a new chapter in its history through an ambitious renovation project that will transform both its historic building and the way it presents the story of Greek Jewry — from antiquity to the present day.

Founded in 1977, the Museum has devoted nearly five decades to preserving, studying, and exhibiting the rich cultural heritage of the Jewish communities of Greece. As it approaches its fiftieth anniversary in 2027, the Museum is evolving in line with contemporary museological standards, with the aim of creating a more engaging, accessible, and dynamic institution for future generations. More than 12,000 artifacts comprise its collections, documenting millennia of Jewish presence in Greece.

The Museum’s mission extends far beyond exhibition-making. As an officially recognized research center, it has developed significant archival and research programs, often in cooperation with European and international institutions, while also maintaining an extensive digital archive and publishing important scholarly work on the history of Greek Jewry. At the same time, the Museum places particular emphasis on education and public engagement, organizing numerous educational programs each year, especially for school groups. Today, approximately 12,000 visitors visit the Museum annually, nearly twenty percent of whom are Greek pupils.

At the core of the project lies the desire to offer visitors a deeper and more meaningful experience of the Museum’s collections and narratives. The renovation will upgrade and modernize the building infrastructure, update climate-controlled spaces and introduce interactive exhibitions designed especially for school groups and families. Ultimately, the Museum seeks to transform itself into a vibrant and inclusive center for culture, learning, and dialogue, inspiring pride in the heritage of Greek Jewry.

A major aspect of the project is a complete curatorial redesign of the permanent exhibition, wherein exhibits will be presented within a continuous historical timeline extending from the late 4th century BCE to the present day. This chronological narrative will illuminate the continuity and resilience of Jewish life in Greece, connect the Greek Jewish experience with the broader Greek, European, and Jewish history, and engage visitors of all ages in a cohesive historical journey.

The project also marks a transition from traditional models toward more interactive forms of engagement. Exhibition texts and interpretive material are being entirely redeveloped, while upgraded digital infrastructure will support more immersive educational experiences for students and visitors alike.

The renovation includes every aspect of the Museum’s operation. The entire project is being carried out under comprehensive architectural planning and professional supervision.

Through this transformation, the Jewish Museum of Greece reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the heritage of Greek Jewry, while creating a contemporary museum experience, capable of connecting history, memory, education and culture, with the audiences of today and tomorrow.

The reopening is planned for early 2027.