Ecclesiastical Museum Photo: Church Museum

One of the main attractions of the Greek city of Alexandroupolis is the Ecclesiastical Museum. It was founded in 1976 on the initiative of Metropolitan Anthimos and is under the jurisdiction of the Holy Metropolis of Alexandroupolis. Unique relics, presented in the Museum illustrate the history of the development of religious art in the region.

Today, the Church Museum is located in the heart of the city on Cathedral square in a lovely two-storey neoclassical mansion of Leontaridi (until 1982 the Museum occupied several rooms in the Cultural center). The building was constructed in 1909 for the businessman from the Maronia (nom Rodopi) Antonio Leontaridis, who after returning from Russia decided to settle in Alexandroupolis. He later donated the mansion as a gift to the city, and until 1972, it housed a secondary school for boys.

Magnificent collection of the Museum consists mainly of Church relics collected in the churches and monasteries of the Metropolis of Alexandroupolis. A significant contribution to the replenishment of the collection received private donations. Most of the exhibits from the 18th and 19th centuries, but there are among the Museum's treasures and religious relics Dating from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries (mostly incunabula and a few icons).

The Museum presents more than 400 unique items. The largest and perhaps the most important part of the collection of Ecclesiastical Museum are a variety of icons. In the Museum you can also see liturgical vestments, Church utensils, coins, important historical documents, and more.

Today the Ecclesiastical Museum of Alexandroupolis is considered one of the best such museums in Greece and is of great historical and cultural value.

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