The Modern Greek Art Museum’s Nestorideion Melathron is on Plateia Gavriil Charitou in Rhodes. Its collection focuses on Greek art of the 20th century, with paintings, engravings, sculptures, drawings and historical documents by artists including Maleas, Parthenis and Tsarouchis. Look out for the upper-floor works by Valias Semertzidis, as well as photographs of religious practices and paintings of Greek islands. QR codes beside portraits on the first floor add context to some works; other floors may have less interpretation.
A collection of modern Greek art
The museum presents Greek art from the 20th century through paintings, engravings, sculptures, drawings and documents. Its collection includes works by artists such as Konstantinos Maleas, Konstantinos Parthenis, Theofilos, Nikos Eggonopoulos, Yannis Tsarouchis, Spyros Vouzianis, Nikos Hatzikyriakos-Gikas and Yannis Moralis. The range of media gives the visit more than one focus: you can move between paintings, prints and works on paper, with historical documents alongside them.
The Municipal Gallery began operating in 1950 and has added to its holdings over time. The museum is now spread across several buildings, including Nestorideion Melathron and its adjoining spaces. A single ticket has been reported to include three museum sites, so confirm which locations are covered when buying your admission.
Works to look for inside
The top floor is devoted to paintings by Valias Semertzidis. His subjects include wartime struggle and hardship as well as landscapes from Rhodes, bringing local scenes into a collection otherwise spanning artists from across Greece.
Other displays include photographs of religious practices and paintings of Greek islands. On the ground floor, historical documents include Ottoman-era letters and edicts concerning taxation. The collection’s mix of art and documents means the museum can include material beyond modern paintings, so allow time to look at the displays that interest you most.
Making sense of the displays
QR codes beside portraits on the first floor provide information about those works. The codes are not available throughout the entire museum, so you may find less written context on other floors. Staff can help with additional information about the collection.
The museum is a better fit for visitors curious about Greek art and its artists than for anyone expecting a gallery devoted only to contemporary work. Some rooms include historical material, alongside the 20th-century paintings and prints. If you want to compare the collection with work shown elsewhere, ask about the other museum sites included with your ticket before setting out.
FAQ
Where is the Modern Greek Art Museum in Rhodes?
Nestorideion Melathron is at Plateia Gavriil Charitou, Rhodes 851 00, Greece.
How long does a visit take?
About 20 minutes is enough for a short visit. Allow longer if you want to spend more time with the collection or visit other sites covered by your ticket.
What can you see at the museum?
The collection includes 20th-century Greek paintings, engravings, sculptures, drawings and historical documents. It also has a floor devoted to Valias Semertzidis.
Does one ticket include other museums?
One ticket has been reported to cover three museum sites. Check the current ticket details to confirm which locations are included.
