Discover The Katakouzenos Museum, A Gem In The Center Of Athens
- by XpatAthens
- Monday, 25 March 2019
Following the principles and expanding possibilities of house museums, such as the Freud Museum in London, the Katakouzenos House Museum is proof of how a historical Athenian residence can be converted to a community-oriented and education-based institution.
The former owners of the house, Angelos and Leto Katakouzenos, belonged to the intellectual elite of the so-called “1930s generation”. Their home functioned as a literary salon, while its rooms have hosted numerous renowned artists, writers, and poets of international fame.
Angelos Katakouzenos was born in 1904 in Lesvos, an island in the Aegean to which he often returned as a child, for holidays; the rest of the year he lived with his wealthy family of timber traders in Smyrna, Asia Minor. Arete-Leto Protopappa was born in 1914 in Pireaus, where she spent her childhood years. Her great-grandfather was aid-de-camp to the first king of Hellas, Otto, and came from Montenegro. Her grandfather founded the first biscuit factory in Greece and her father was a paediatrician and senator during Eleutherios Venizelos tenure.
The fairy-tale life of Angelos and Leto began in the 1930s and lasted for more than 40 years. The couple were deeply cultured and creative and prominent members of the Athenian society. In fact, the significant neurologist and his wife experienced a life of literary and artistic merits and befriended personalities such as Albert Camus and Marc Chagall.
The Katakouzenos House Museum is located on Amalias avenue and houses a noteworthy collection of paintings, books, furniture. However, it is the invisible essence of the Katakouzenos couple and their legacy, that makes the museum one of the most remarkable treasures in Athens. In addition to its permanent exhibits, the museum also hosts a variety of interesting cultural events such as talks, performances, recitals, and narrations.
To read more about the life & heritage of Angelos & Leto Katakouzenos, please visit: Katakouzenos House Museum