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Toy Museum
The Toy Museum offers a unique journey into the world of childhood. Visitors will discover dolls from different periods, handmade toys, wooden boats and airplanes, traditional kites, outdoor games, dolls dressed in traditional Greek costumes, as well as an impressive exhibition dedicated to the Greek Shadow Theatre and Karagiozis. Each exhibit has its own story to tell, bringing to life memories from another era.
The story of the monument
Ermioni is home to two remarkable museums that showcase its history and culture. One of them is the Toy Museum, a unique place that takes visitors on a journey through the world of childhood, memories, and creativity.
The museum is housed in a beautiful old mansion behind the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. The building once belonged to the beloved teacher Michalis Papavasileiou, who donated it to the Ermionikos Association to be used for cultural purposes. The Toy Museum opened its doors in 2013 and has welcomed visitors of all ages ever since.
Most of the exhibits have been donated by residents of Hermioni and the surrounding area. Behind many of these toys lies a touching story, a childhood memory, or a family tradition.
First Floor
The tour begins on the first floor, where you will discover dozens of dolls from different periods. Some are made of fabric, others of porcelain or plastic. Many are handmade, and each doll has its own name and story.
The toys are not simply displayed in glass cases. They are carefully arranged in themed displays that recreate scenes from children’s everyday life. Here you will see an old children’s bedroom with an iron bed, a mother sewing clothes with a vintage sewing machine, and many dolls dressed in traditional Greek costumes.
The exhibition recreates everyday scenes from the past. One of its highlights is a child’s bedroom furnished with an old iron bed, dolls, and stuffed toys. Another is the workshop of a seamstress, featuring a vintage sewing machine, sewing patterns, fabrics, and tiny handmade clothes for dolls.
You will also find handmade wooden and cardboard toys, including boats, airplanes, cars, and trucks. The same floor displays traditional kites, marbles, and many outdoor games that children enjoyed before the digital age.
One of the museum’s most touching stories is connected with a small doll wardrobe. According to the family who donated it, this toy saved their relatives’ lives in 1944. A little girl insisted on buying that particular wardrobe, so her parents returned to the shop to get it and missed the train they had planned to take home. Shortly afterwards, that train was bombed, and many of its passengers lost their lives.
Ground Floor
The ground floor is mainly dedicated to the traditional Greek Shadow Theatre. Here you will find an impressive collection of Karagiozis figures, stage sets, posters, and other exhibits illustrating the history of this unique form of Greek folk theatre. A traditional shadow theatre stage (berntes) has also been set up, allowing live performances to take place and keeping this important part of Greece’s cultural heritage alive.
