Timeline

1884

Michaleas Mansion construction

The Neoclassical home of the architect Ioannis Michaleas and his family was constructed at the junction of Theorias, Panos and Aretousas streets.

1906

Paul Canellopoulos is born

In September, Paul was born in Athens, the son of the industrialist Angelos Canellopoulos and Eleni Oikonomou.

1921

Alexandra Canellopoulos is born

Alexandra was born in Athens, the daughter of the politician Dimitrios Londos and Melpomene Scampavia.

1923

The first two artefacts of the Collection

Paul Canellopoulos, while studying in Munich, acquired the first two artefacts of his Collection, a Byzantine icon of Virgin Mary, and another of Saint Nicholas, from the early 16th century

1927

First years of collective activity

After graduating from Munich University, Paul travelled to numerous European countries in order to study history, philosophy and the arts. He enthusiastically continues his collecting, rescuing a variety of Greek artefacts, with the aim of returning them to Greece.

1940

Acquisition of Collector’s License

Paul obtained a collector’s license for Greek and Byzantine antiquities.

1945

Paul and Alexandra get married

Paul Canellopoulos and Alexandra Londos are married. Their common life shaped a shared vision.

1963

Michaleas Mansion Expropriation

For reasons of public benefit the two properties, owned by the heirs of Ioannis Michaleas, are expropriated. The transfer of the property to the Athens Mortgage Office was completed in 1978.

1964

Exhibition: “Byzantine Art – A European Art”

The Collection participates in the exhibition “Byzantine Art – A European Art”, at the Zappeion Megaron, Athens, organised under the auspices of the Council of Europe.

1969

Transformation of the Michaleas Mansion into a Museum

The repairs and restoration works began in March, in order to transform the Michaleas Mansion into a museum that would host the Canellopoulos Collection.

1971-2001

École Française d'Athènes – Studies on the Canellopoulos Collection

The French School of Athens - École Française d'Athènes publishes 20 specialised studies on selections of objects from the Canellopoulos Collection in the Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique.

1971

First documentation of the Collection

The first official documentation of the Collection takes place, by the Archaeological Service, under care of A. Andreiomenos, Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities and Private Archaeological Collections. The Collection at that point consisted of 4,595 objects.

1972

Donation of the Collection to the Greek state.

Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos donated their rich Collection to the Greek state. Officially, the Greek state received the Collection with the act of acceptance of the donation, a decision of the then Deputy Minister of Finance A. Dimopoulos.

1972-1976

Preparing the Museum for its permanent exhibition

The first permanent exhibition of the Canellopoulos Collection is prepared under the supervision of G. Dontas. The work was undertaken almost exclusively by the archaeologist of the Ephorate, M. Bruskari.

1973-1975

Conservation of artefacts from the Collection

The newly established Centre for the Preservation of Antiquities began the conservation of the objects of the Collection. P. Lazaridis, the head of the Centre, mentions the preservation of 23 Byzantine icons of the Collection.

1976

Inauguration of the Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Museum

In July, the Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Museum opened its gates to the public, a role model for the museological standards of the time.

1987

Exhibition: "Greece and Sea"

The Museum participates in the exhibition “Greece and Sea”, on the occasion of the European Capital of Culture in Amsterdam.

1987

Exhibition: “From Byzantium to El Greco: Greek Frescoes and Icons”

The Museum participates in the exhibition “From Byzantium to El Greco: Greek Frescoes and Icons”, Royal Academy, London.

1988

Exhibition: “Holy Image, Holy Space: Icons and Frescoes from Greece”

The Museum participates in the travelling exhibition “Holy Image, Holy Space: Icons and Frescoes from Greece”, USA.

1989

Exhibition: “Eros Grec: Amour des Dieux et des Hommes”

The Museum participates in the exhibition “Eros Grec: Amour des Dieux et des Hommes”, Grand Palais, Paris.

1994

Exhibition: “Gates of Mystery: Treasures of Orthodoxy from Holy Russia and Greece”

The Museum participates in the exhibition “Gates of Mystery: Treasures of Orthodoxy from Holy Russia and Greece”, National Gallery, Athens.

1994

Second documentation of the Collection

Paul’s and Alexandra’s collecting activity continued unabated all these years, resulting in the enrichment of the Museum's Collection. According to the documentation conducted by the 1st Athens Ephorate of Antiquities, the Collection consists at this point of 6,175 antiquities and works of art.

1995-1996

Museum’s Renovation

After twenty years of operation, the building showed signs of deterioration, mainly due to the groundwater that flowed through the rock of the northern slope of the Acropolis. The Museum remained closed February 1995 to October 1996 while extensive renovation and restoration work was carried out on the building's static and humidity problems.

1997

Exhibition: “The Glory of Byzantium”

The Museum participates in the exhibition “The Glory of Byzantium: Art and Culture of the Middle Byzantine Era, A.D. 843–1261”, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

1999

Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Foundation

Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos proceeded to the establishment of a foundation that bears their names, so as to support the Museum and enhance Hellenism.

2000

New Wing of the Museum

Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos agree to donate to the Greek state a new wing attached to the Michaleas Mansion, as well as the remaining artefacts from the Canellopoulos Collection, which were still hosted at their home.

2001-2002

Exhibition: “The Ecumenical Byzantium”

The Museum participates in the exhibition “The Ecumenical Byzantium”, Byzantine & Christian Museum, Athens.

2002-2003

Publication of the permanent collection catalogue

The official catalogue of the permanent exhibition, edited by Maria S. Brouscari, entitled “The Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Museum” was published (Ministry of Culture – Fund of Archaeological Proceeds).

2003

Paul Canellopoulos dies

Paul Canellopoulos dies on 3 April 2003, at the age of 97.

2004

Construction of the new Wing

The operation of the Museum is suspended in order to build its extension. With the initiative and funding of Alexandra Canellopoulos, the adjacent plot of land was purchased, where, according to the plans of the architect Paul Kalligas, the new wing was built.

2004

Exhibition: “Byzantium: Faith and Power (1261-1557)”

The Museum participates in the exhibition “Byzantium: Faith and Power (1261-1557)”, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

2006-2007

Catalogues Publication

Two catalogues, “Ancient Art” and “Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art”, were published by the Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Foundation.

2007

Completion of the New Wing

The construction of the new wing is completed. Beyond new exhibition areas to better showcase the Collection, the Museum obtained additional spaces, such as rooms for educational programmes, a library, offices, conservation workshops and more.

2007

Legal Entity of Public Law

Under the law 3600/2007 the Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Museum, Athens, was established as a Legal Entity of Public Law, supervised by the Minister of Culture.

2008

Alexandra Canellopoulos dies

Alexandra Canellopoulos dies 23 July 2008, at the age of 87.

2009-2010

Exhibition: "Eros: From Hesiod’s Theogony to Late Antiquity"

The Museum participates in the exhibition "Eros: From Hesiod’s Theogony to Late Antiquity", Museum of Cycladic Art, Athens.

2009-2010

Exhibition: “The Origins of El Greco”

The Museum participates in the exhibition “The Origins of El Greco: Icon Painting in Venetian Crete”, Onassis Cultural Centre, New York City.

2010

Museum’s Reopening

The re-exhibition works of the Collection were completed, resulting in the reopening of the CaMu in its current form.

2012

Exhibition: “The tale of Cupid and Psyche”

The Museum participates in the exhibition “The tale of Cupid and Psyche: the legend in art from antiquity to Canova”, Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome, Italy.

2014-2015

Exhibition: “Beyond”

The Museum participates in the exhibition “Beyond”, Museum of Cycladic Art, Athens.

2020-2021

Exhibition: “Kallos. The Ultimate Beauty”

The Museum participates in the exhibition “Kallos. The Ultimate Beauty”, Museum of Cycladic Art, Athens.

2022

CAMU Future

The Canellopoulos Museum begins a new chapter of its history. CAMU designs a new strategy and introduces its renewed visual identity. Remaining partially open, renovations begin to bring the Museum up to contemporary standards.