In 1983, the president of the Lighthouse for the Blind, Protopapadaki L. and the managing director Kefakis Manolis, were looking for a way that would give visually impaired people the opportunity to come in touch with ancient greek Culture. The first artefacts were bought by Lighthouse, followed by several donations by suppporting organizations and others. At the same time it was realized that the ability to touch and feel the exhibits was an excellent new way of approaching the ancient greek civilization not only for blind but for sighted people, too.
History of the Museum
Tactual Museum was founded in 1984, and housed on a two-floor neo-classical building, on Doiranis Street 198, Kallithea,
donated by Empeirikos to the Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece.
After a 3-year period of enforced closure due to the earthquake of 1999, it opened again in 2004 following
subsidies and sponsorship from the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity and
the American Friends of the Blind in Greece Organization, based in Massachusetts, USA.
Reopening of the Museum
The Tactual Museum was officially re-opened by the President of the Repuplic, Mr Konstandinos Stefanopoulos, on the 19th of March 2004.
Commendations
- In 1988 the museum was choosen 70 other european museums to receive the "Museum of the year" Award
- In 2004, it also won an award from the Greek Union of Friends of Museums for the realization of its accessibility program
Difference
It is one of 4-5 Museums of its kind in the world. The main difference between the Tactual Museum and other Museums
is the opportunity for all visitors to touch all the Exhibits that are copies of the originals
displayed in other museums of our country.
Operation
The Tactual Museum belongs to the Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece.
Mrs Geroulanou Zoe, member of LightHouse's Board of Directors and mrs Asideri Dimitra, manager of Lighthouse for the Blind,
are in charge of the developement, operation and promotion of the Museum.
Doiranis 198
Kallithea, 176 73
Kallithea, 176 73
www.tactualmuseum.gr
Touch and Learn
The exhibits in the Tactual Museum, - statues, vessels, sculptures and useful artifacts -
are exact replicas of the originals which are displayed in the Museums of Greece, such as the
National Archaeological museum,
the Acropolis,
Delphi,
Olympia,
Heraklion Museums and the
Museum of Cycladic Art,
dated back to the Cycladic, Minoan, Geometric, Archaic, Austere Rythm,
Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods.
are exact replicas of the originals which are displayed in the Museums of Greece, such as the
National Archaeological museum,
the Acropolis,
Delphi,
Olympia,
Heraklion Museums and the
Museum of Cycladic Art,
dated back to the Cycladic, Minoan, Geometric, Archaic, Austere Rythm,
Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods.
November 14, 2012
Feel the Beauty
Visitors may touch and feel the statue of
Aphrodite of Melos, Hermes of Praxiteles,
Poseidon of Artemision, Delphi Charioteer,
the Kouros of Volamandra, model of Athena on the Acropolis
during the 5th century B.C. and others.
Byzantine Collection
Tactual Museum, apart from its impressive ancient greek art collection, also includes
a Byzantine section which consists of woodcarved temple, epitaphs and icons, as well as a model
of a Byzantine Church and several religious artifacts.
Olympic Games education
There is also a new exhibition which is dedicated to the education of the public regarding the
Olympic Games and the ParaOlympics, which was introduced by the Culture Ministry's General Secretary of the Olympic Games.
In the lobby (hall) can be found the Mascots and the symbols of the Olympic Games which have been reproduced
in anaglyph form by the artist Maria Veropoulou, as well as relief maps of Athens with the Olympic Facilities pointed out.
Works of Art made by visually impaired individuals
In addition, the Tactual Museum is home to the sculpture of the
recognized blind sculptor Petros Roukoutakis, as well as, Works of Art made by visually impaired individuals
at Ceramic and Sculpture Studio of the Lighthouse for the Blind.
Information Material
To help visitors obtain the information they require regarding the exhibits, an automatic
tour guide has been created in both Greek and English. There are also descriptive signs written
in Braille and enlarged letters for partially sighted individuals.
info: tactualmuseum.gr
