Victoria Karelias Collection of Traditional Greek Costumes — Attraction in Municipality of Kalamata

When you’re in the area, do make time for this gem of a museum. Opened in 2017 and comprising 50 years of one passionate woman’s collection of traditional Greek costumes, it is astounding! On three floors (there’s an elevator) of a specially-renovated and remodeled building in downtown Kalamta, the costumes are displayed on three floors in logical order, some dating back more than 200 years. This isn’t a moth-eaten motley array: this is a top-notch collection and my husband and I spent two hours viewing the costumes and jewelry (the jewelry alone could be its own collection).

The exhibit titles are in Greek and English on interactive Samsung tablets. If you prefer, you can also exchange an ID for a tablet you can use at your pace (we did), allowing you to take your time, sit down on the benches, admire the costumes, and really read the accompanying text. I can’t pick a favorite costume-they are all beautiful and unique. I do wonder how much each one weighs, though. That was the only information not provided, and I’m curious because some of them included four or more cotton and wool layers. One costume required 10 undergarments/petticoats! Amazing.

Small gift shop has items inspired by the costume and jewelry in the collection, as well as catalogs and books from past exhibitions. I’m kicking myself I didn’t buy the silk worm cocoon necklace…it’s exquisite!

They also host special events like lectures and concerts in their on-site venue.

Very welcoming, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff. Really happy we stopped in and my husband enjoyed it as much as I did. Free parking on the street in front...

To say that this is one of the most beautiful, and educational fashion & history museums in Greece is an understatement.

What Victoria Karelia has created in this beautiful, three story house in Kalamata, is a museum playing on the global fashion museum scene. The collection and styling will easily rival the Met, the Louvre, the Benaki... And so many others of note.

The staging over the three floors, with the interactive information screens, and quality of the exhibits brought tears to my eyes, and Wow after Wow moment.

What grace, craftsmanship, detailing, layering... The pieces have taken my breath away, and make me so proud... Costumes from all over Greece, Thessaly, Athens, Thrace, Evros, Crete, the Cyclades, Sporades, Eftanisa, Dodecanese, and even from our nomadic tribes of Sarakatsani are all on display.

Bridal and engagement pieces, baptism, and other special occasions, it is all here, including the immaculate jewelery, head dress, shows, coats, aprons... I am bedazzled.

I feel so inspired walking away, and I will definitely return each time when I come back to Kalamata as new pieces are arriving constantly.

Again I state as a fact that this is a true hidden gem of our National Museum scene, and is officially in my top five museums of Greece.

Victoria, thank you for your dedication, love and passion in saving our fashion heritage, and for educating us on the breadth of what it means...

Excellent collection of traditional Greek costumes from a wide range of islands and areas of Greece. The costumes are displayed on 3 floors according to the type of clothing. Explanatory notes, on tablets, give some context to the work Surprising how much variation there is and the high quality of craft skills involved in making them. Any one piece could justify the visit.

They are displayed exceptionally well, sometimes on rotating plinths, sometimes ascending and descending plinths, all very well lit. Though behind glass, care was taken to avoid reflections which could hide the work and make photography difficult.

Staff at the.museum were very friendly and helpful explaining the layout, history of the museum and other details in English. The staff are multilingual and knowledgeable.

Well...