Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation, Cultural museum in Nafplio, Greece.
The Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation Museum sits in a 19th-century neoclassical building in central Nafplio and displays an extensive collection of regional garments, household objects, and fashion from different periods. The exhibition includes around 45,000 items, from everyday pieces to designer works, documenting the material culture of the Peloponnese across generations.
The foundation was established in 1974 to honor the memory of Vasilios and to research Greek material culture and traditional craftsmanship. In the early 1980s, the institution gained international recognition for its work preserving textile techniques and traditional production methods.
The collection displays traditional garments from different regions of the Peloponnese and represents craftsmanship passed down through generations. Visitors can observe how local dress varied in colors, patterns, and weaving techniques, and what role these clothes played in people's everyday lives.
The museum is centrally located in Nafplio and easily walkable from most spots, though its hours are limited and it closes on Tuesdays. It is advisable to check opening times beforehand, as they can vary seasonally.
The museum received the European Museum of the Year Award in 1981 for an exhibition documenting natural textile processing techniques and traditional dyeing methods of the region. This recognition established it as a pioneer in preserving and sharing craft knowledge.
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