Εβραϊκό Μουσείο Θεσσαλονίκης
- Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki
- Evraiko Mouseio Thessalonikis
- EMTH
Address
Phone
Fax
Geographical and Cultural Context
The Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki was founded to honour the rich and creative Sephardic heritage as it evolved in the city after the 15th century. Consequent to the horrible expulsion from Spain by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492, Jews began to arrive in the safe haven of the city in big numbers bringing with them an awareness of Renaissance culture and languages of the Western Mediterranean.
Building(s)
The Museum is housed in one of the rare Jewish structures that survived the fire of 1917. Located in the very heart of Thessaloniki, this imposing building has at times housed the Bank of Athens and the offices of the Jewish newspaper "L' Independent".The building was renovated by the Cultural Capital of Europe Organization "Thessaloniki 1997".
Archival and Other Holdings
Archival holdings cover the 20th century, mainly. Someone can find communal archives (Thessaloniki, Kavala), archives of business activities, archives of maps and plans and private collections.
Opening Times
Opening hours: Tuesday, Friday & Sunday: 11:00am - 2:00pm and Wednesday & Thursday: 11:00am - 2:00pm & 5:00pm - 8:00pm. The Museum is closed on public and religious holidays.
Research Services
A research and documentation center operates within the premises, which aims to document and digitize archival documents from the Museum's own collection as well as archival material from other sources, thus creating a database accessible to visitors. The library houses important texts that were printed in Thessaloniki from the 16th to the 20th century, covering almost every aspect of Jewish life, religious and secular. The library acts also as a repository for books on the history, customs and language of the Sephardi Jews. Adjacent to it is an audio-visual centre, in which visitors will be able to watch and research tapes and films documenting Jewish history -especially on the Holocaust.
Reproduction Services
There are charges for photocopying/digital output. Services free of charge: entry to the reading room; use of finding aids/catalogues/computers; assistance from staff. Some archival holdings have been digitized and are available for viewing and printing. Any copies that a researcher purchases are for personal use only. Copyright permission must be sought for further reproduction or publication.
Sources
Yad Vashem