Explore the history of Silversmithing Museum. Discover the exhibitions and facilities here!
The Silversmithing Museum is located in the castle of Ioannina, and more specifically in the western bastion of the north-eastern acropolis (Its Kale). It occupies the bastion’s two levels, as well as the adjacent building of the old cookhouses.
Its objective is to preserve our knowledge of Epirote silversmithing and to disseminate information about its technology to the wider public. Also, to link this technology to the social context of the period during which it was developed and flourished.
It is a thematic museum, as it concerns the technology of silversmithing during the pre-industrial period, while simultaneously being a regional museum, as it focuses principally on the history of silversmithing in the region of Epirus. Temporally, the exhibition refers essentially to the post-Byzantine period, from the 15th century onwards, but without excluding references to the more distant past, given that the technology used to produce silverware often dates back to much older periods of time.
History
The Silversmithing Museum is housed in the Castle of Ioannina and more specifically in the western bastion of the north-eastern acropolis (Its Kale).
It occupies two of the bastion’s levels, as well as the building of the old cookhouses adjacent to it.
It functions under the responsibility of the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation, which is in charge of running it for fifty years since its establishment.
The Museum’s creation was included in the Operational Programme “Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship” (OPCE II) and was financed by the 2007-2013 NSRF (European Regional Development Fund co-funding) and the Piraeus Bank.
In 2008, PIOP drew up an initial research programme about silversmithing. In 2009, the museology and museography study for the Silversmithing Museum was approved and a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Hellenic Ministry of Tourism, the Municipality of Ioannina and PIOP with a view to creating the Museum.
In 2011, the project of the “Silversmithing Museum of Ioannina” was included in the Operational Programme “Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship”. A programme contract was signed between the Municipality of Ioannina, the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and PIOP both for the project’s realisation and the Museum’s functioning.
The rehabilitation work in the monument’s premises that house the Silversmithing Museum began in 2012. Later on, the work for the exhibition’s materialisation also started. The Museum was inaugurated in September 2016.
What is on display
The exhibition areas avail themselves of the bastion’s two levels. The first level comprises the main part of the exhibition, which refers to the history and technology of silversmithing in Epirus. Through various presentation means (texts, visual material, documentation films, multimedia applications) the visitor discovers traditional techniques of shaping and decorating silver objects, learning about each technique’s different stages necessary to the creation of the end product. On the second level, the collection of Epirote silver and gold smithing works are presented, dating from the 18th through to the 20th century. Finely-crafted objects with ornate details, such as jewellery, arms and martial gear, household silverware and personal effects are featured in this collection.
References also exist to contemporary silversmithing with samples of the work of silversmiths who are active today in the wider region, both following and continuing a century-long tradition.
The Museum also includes interactive digital games, while in parallel educational programmes are being elaborated.
The multipurpose hall serves to host temporary exhibitions, organise events and act as premises for cultural activities.
Co-financed by the European Union
European Regional Development Fund
The Museum’s educational pack and educational programmes are available only in Greek language.
Free admission:
You can purchase your ticket for the Museum online here
The Museum has free Wi-Fi.
To arrange a school visit, you can contact the Museum at the phone number 26510 64065.
For group visits you can contact the Museum at the phone number 26510 64065.
The Museum has a cafeteria.
The Museum has a shop where you will find a rich collection of objects designed exclusively for PIOP, inspired by the themes of the Museums.
In the MUSEUMSHOP you will also find the Foundation's publications.
You can shop not only during your visit to the Museum but also throughout the year from our e-shop.
Amateur photography or video filming is permitted. Professional photography or filming and the publication of the material in printed, electronic and digital media is only permitted with special permission from PIOP.
The Museum does not have a parking lot.
The Museum is accessible to people with disabilities and has:
Pets are not allowed in the Museum. Only guide dogs are allowed access.
The following categories of visitors pay a reduced entrance fee on presenting valid ID proof:
Free admission for the following categories of visitors, on presenting the relevant valid ID proof:
Lift and WC for disabled persons
Lending wheelchair
Free access to guide dogs
Museum brochure in Braille, in Greek and English
